A talented north-east ice skater has put the region on the map by being named in Team GB’s development squad.
Taylor Zanre-Wilson has been selected by the squad for the upcoming year’s events, which means the 11-year-old could be called up to represent her home nation in competitions across the UK.
The youngster, who first took to the rink, following a holiday six years ago, has cited 17-year-old skater Evgenia Medvedeva as her idol.
And last night, she described the moment she knew she wanted to take to the ice.
Taylor said: “I saw an ice rink on holiday and really wanted to go on.
“And when I got back to Aberdeen, I started going to the one there.
“I’ve been doing it for six years now.”
At the Linx Arena, Taylor is coached by a three-person team to ensure she is able to compete at the highest level.
And her parents, Maria and Don, think there could be no ceiling to her talents.
At their Peterhead home, which contains plenty of trophies that Taylor has won throughout her career, Mrs Zanre-Wilson said: “She goes to about seven or eight competitions every year.
“We’ve travelled as far as Sheffield for her, and she’s got one coming up soon in London.
“We’re extremely proud of her. She works really hard with a lot of early mornings and late nights. It’s a big commitment, but she absolutely loves it.”
Mr Zanre-Wilson added: “It’s not really a front-line sport, so it doesn’t always get the attention it deserves.
“She has done it for a long time now, and she’s up at 4.30am to train. She then goes back to it after school. It’s a full-time thing for her, but it’s what she likes and we’re really starting to see the benefits for her now.”
Taylor is also thought to be the first girl in Aberdeenshire since 2002 to qualify for the British Championships.
A spokesman for the Linx Ice Skating Club said: “It has been Taylor’s personal goal to get a place on the squad and, with her hard work and determination, she has done it.
“We are all very happy and proud of her.”