A bunch of Dunedin athletes will do just that in Auckland this weekend.
No fewer than 26 local skaters have qualified for the New Zealand ice figure skating championships, highlighting the sport’s development in the South and the wave of talent coming through.
Of significance is the presence of the senior elite 12 synchronised crew.
They are the first team of their kind in Dunedin and are competing at the top level in their discipline.
Synchronised skating was pushing for Olympic inclusion so it was a "pretty big moment for the city" to have them competing nationally, coach Megan Kliegl said.
Skaters in the synchro squad are Jazelle McCormick, Amelie Henderson, Djuna Elkan, Hannah Sime, Rachael Jannink, Paige Symister, Amelie Ballard, Lucie Holtz, Gemma Pickering, Emma Fotheringham, Katie St Clair Newman, Selina Zeng, Izzy Dalley and Zara Anthony-Whigham.
Another Dunedin skater to watch is Brooke Cathro.
She has had an impressive season in junior women’s competition and recently passed her gold stroking test, a rare achievement that was last done by a Dunedin skater when Rebecca Sime passed in 2022.
Cathro was also awarded a gold free skate, the highest testing achievement in figure skating, for her performance at the Queenstown championships.
Lilah Langi-Scott also has high hopes in advanced novice competition.
She had bounced back from injury to be right back at her best, Kliegl said.
Mihiata Parkinson has been a big improver and could shine in her second appearance at the national championships.
"Mihi is a very talented skater who has advanced significantly over a short period of time in the sport," coach Ricky Cockerill said.
"She impresses with not only her physical ability, but also her artistry and musicality which she draws from her early dance training. She brings positivity and happiness to the ice and is already a great role model within the Dunedin Ice Skating Club."
Other Dunedin skaters heading north are Melody Li (juvenile U12), Madison Byce, Neve Kendrick, Olivia Dickson, Caitlin Ellett (intermediate novice), Selah Bachur, Amelie Ballard (basic novice), Sue Hoseit (adult bronze freeskate), Lydia Peters (intermediate novice) and Lucie Holtz (youth and adult interpretive grades).
"It feels like a special season for Dunedin skating, and nationals is going to be one to watch," Kliegl said.
Kliegl and Cockerill are joined in a strong Dunedin coaching crew by Stephanie Woodacre, Sarah Macgibbon and Tanya Bakerman-Fulton.
