HELENA, - A woman from Great Falls became a National Champion in figure skating in April.
After 15 years, Figure skating Coach Avery Bandel, was dared to get back on the ice competitively.
"'You gotta come enter this competition. It's so much fun than it was when you were a kid. Come out and see what happens.' And so I entered on a dare and ended up qualifying at nationals and then medaling at nationals," said Bandel.
Her division included twelve others, all competing in the championships in salt lake city.
Bandel had no idea she'd won...
"I don't think I even listened to what my scores were when the judges were reading them out so I didn't know till the end."
Competing reminded her of how challenging the sport can be.
"You forget how hard this sport is, how incredibly difficult it is to go out there all by yourself. You've got a panel of 18 judges (who) are watching you."
Though, winning was not something Bangel was used to, growing up.
"I was at the bottom of the pack for every competition for years and years and years and years. I might not win everything else, but I can have more fun than everyone else."
She says competing has made her a better coach.
"So really me going to competitions, I get ideas for what to work on with my students at home."
She plans to continue to coach for the learn to skate program in Helena.
"No other rink in Montana has two National Champions coaching for them. So that's kind of a feather in Helena's cap."
And Bandel's as well.
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