Dumfries teenager preparing for life in Canada as she pursues ice skating dream
A Dumfries teenager is preparing to move her life to Canada to pursue her dreams of becoming a professional ice skater.
Larissa Maxwell is back in her hometown to sit her exams after spending a few weeks in North America before she moves for a year to join the Nova Juniors ice skating team.
Speaking to ITV Border at the Dumfries Ice Bowl, the 17-year-old said: "I have never been to the Canadian competitions so I think that will be really fun. I also will like to see the environments a bit more and see what it is all about.
'I have been skating for quite a few years, it is definitely a tough sport.
"I think it is not recognised as much, it is still not an Olympic sport so understandably some people think differently but the amount of hard work I have already put in I just keep improving. There is always things to improve on and it motivates me even more to keep trying."
Her mum, Lisa, is extremely supportive of Larrisa's journey and moving so far from home at such a young age.
Speaking on the emotions of seeing her teenage daughter travel half way across the world, Lisa said: "The day that she phoned me at work to say that she got an email inviting her for an interview I didn't know whether to laugh, cry or be sick.
"I had every emotion going and even just taking her to the airport for the two weeks she was out there was tears. She came back having had an amazing time and the coaches are so supportive.
"They were so kind and made me feel completely at ease, the host family are lovely and they told me they would look after he like she was their own. I feel very comfortable with it all, it is an amazing opportunity."
Larissa aims to join the police when her journey in ice skating is finished and is using the year away from home to gain some valuable life experience.
She said: "This year away is my time to just improve on my skating before I go into the police, that is where I would like to go. I would like to be in the mounted police and have been horse riding for many years."
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