By Michelle Pickles
Ice skater Allie Rout is about to attempt to become the first Kiwi female to qualify for the Winter Olympics.
Rout will compete at a qualifying event in Germany next weekend.
The 16-year-old knows next year’s Vancouver games are a long shot but she is determined to give it her best shot.
Routs ability to combine grace with power has made her New Zealand's best female figure skater.
She says a change to represent New Zealand at the games would be “amazing”.
“It would actually take the words away, change my life,” she says.
There are only a few Olympic spots left and Rout is realistic about her chances.
“Tiny, absolutely miniscule, but if I don't do it then I could never say I tried,” she says.
“So basically it’s a great warm up for 2014, really I’m a bit young this time but hey its a great step.”
Rout has been taking impressive steps for the last ten years, at eight-years-old she was the youngest member of the New Zealand team, at 11 she became the first New Zealand girl to win an Australian nationals tournament.
Last year she finished 22nd overall at the junior worlds, the highest placing by a New Zealand female.
Her fourth place at the recent Winter Games in Dunedin has seen her soar from 92 to 65 in the world.
Rout says her results would be even better if she could train overseas.
“I really think if I had had this year overseas I probably would definitely be going to the Olympics,” she says.
“But it’s the funding as usual - we don't have it - so we have to make do with what we've got.”
Rout says the hard work can take its toll.
“Sometimes it makes you want to cry but it’s outweighed by the smiles,” she says.
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