By: James Bruneau / Newhouse School
Charlotte Newell took a chance and went public skating with her friend one day. Her friend taught her forward and backward skating, a foundational technique of figure skating. The next day, she signed up for skate grade. She was nine years old at the time.
Today, the 15-year-old from Orchard Park, N.Y., is competing at the 46th Annual Empire State Winter Games in Lake Placid, N.Y., after only eight years of figure skating experience as a member of the SC (Skating Club) of Western New York in Hamburg, N.Y.
Newell comes from a gymnastics background and picked up figure skating later than most girls who start in the sport. It was an adjustment for Newell as she traded balance beams for blades.
“I had to learn to move and cooperate with the ice,” she said.
Some elements from her time in gymnastics have translated well to figure skating, like her ability to hold her spins, positions, and jumps, she said.
The biggest difference for Newell transitioning from gymnastics to figure skating was working on her artistry and performance, she said.
“It was about getting in touch with all your muscles and understanding how your body moves,” Newell said.
But along with Newell’s background in gymnastics, she does ballet, which has played a huge role in where she is today.
Newell’s figure skating coach, who is the daughter of her ballet coach, has helped instill belief and confidence in her when figure skating, she said.
“Whatever you put your mind to, and as long as you can believe in yourself to get there, you’re going to be able to do just fine,” Newell said.
Newell is competing for the fourth time at the Empire State Winter Games, and her experience has evolved from her first time in Lake Placid to now.
“My first year, I was so nervous,” she said. “I got it into my head about (the occasion) and panicked. I forgot my program.”
Now that she has more familiarity with the rinks at the Olympic Center, she has become more comfortable with her surroundings and has looked to enjoy the moment.
“It’s about being yourself and having fun on the ice,” Newell said.
In the Juvenile Girls Single and Solo Dance, Newell finished in fifth place.
Last year, Newell qualified for nationals, where she will compete later this year. A moment in which she’ll never forget.
“It was amazing. I didn’t think that I could, and then when I found out I qualified, I was over the moon,” she said. “I was so happy.”