Alysa pirouette’s to Paris

AN Axel, the salchow, the lutz with loop in combination. This may sound like French to you and me but to Durban North figure skating sensation, Alysa Dunford, it all makes perfect sense. The 10-year-old was recently selected to represent South Africa at the Rooster cup in Paris later this month. This is Alysa’s first international call-up and it’s an opportunity she’s looking forward to.

“I’m excited and a little nervous. I’m not sure what to expect and have been focusing mainly on my routine and what I have to do,” the Crawford Prep Grade 5 pupil said.

Alysa is working on her axel, said she’s been practising ‘a lot’. “It’s not easy, it may take years for some skaters to master an axel. I’ve improved in other techniques like the twizzle, spinnings my thing,” she enthused.

Her coach and former figure skater, Dean Fox, said he’s right behind Alysa all the way.

“She’s right about spinning, it’s her strong point. Alysa has plenty of talent, she just needs to believe in herself. We’ve worked out a really cool routine using music from ‘The Lion King’ and it’s sure to wow the audience,” Fox said.

Alysa started skating at the age of six and through hard work and dedication she has continued to grow and has set a personal goals of representing South Africa at the Olympics someday.

Figure skating terms

Double axel: This jump is also named after its inventor: Axel Paulsen, a Norwegian figure skater and speed skater. It’s also the only jump that takes off forwards. You skate forward on your left skate on the outside edge, then swing your right leg forward and rotate in the air.

Twizzle: It’s when the skaters spin on one foot while still gliding across the ice to continue the movement.

Camel Spin: They are figure skating spins that are done in same position as the spiral move, which is based on the classic arabesque position from ballet. Like a spiral, the skater’s upper body and free leg are held horizontally in the camel spin.