Monday, 06 February 2012 12:43

Rebecca Power from Swords is an athlete with a very unusual hobby. She is a champion skier, with definite plans for Winter Olympics glory some day. Eleven year old Rebecca, who is a student at St Cronan’s Senior National School in Brackenstown, caught the skiing bug, three years ago on a family skiing holiday in St Johann in Austria. Such was her interest in the sport that she took immediate action when she arrived home. “She told the County Leader, “I joined the ski club of Ireland at Kilternan and they asked me to join the children’s race squad. I was delighted,” she said. She has participated in many events, including the Irish Open and the Snow Dome races in England, where she performed exceptionally well. She was victorious in the International Irish Open for the past few years. She now races for Ireland in the Children 1 category and has just returned from the Trofen Borrufa, which is the Children’s World Championships. “I was delighted with my performance, as this was my first international race,” said a clearly delighted Rebecca. She specialises in the Slalom, Giant Slalom and Super G disciplines. Her parents, Fionnuala and Eugene are delighted at Rebecca’s progress in the sport and are very supportive of her. “We’re very proud of her and the dedication and commitment she has shown to her sport,” said Fionnuala. Rebecca has some very lofty ambitions and hopes to someday represent Ireland in the Winter Olympics. With a combination of steely determination, talent and a winning mentality, she may well achieve her goal. Watch this space.