Updated 02/18/2010 05:54 PM
Young skater has Olympic dreams
She's only six-years-old, but one day, Hailey Blodgett of Morrisville hopes to be an Olympic figure skater. Blodgett is already winning competitions against skaters almost double her age. Our Allison Lazarz caught up with her during a practice to find out how she got so good.
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MORRISVILLE, N.Y. -- Hailey Blodgett takes the term "going for a spin" to a whole new level.
"I do a lot of spins and jumps and cool moves," said Blodgett, a competitive skater.
The six-year-old Morrisville skater already has a skating sponsor and recently won three gold medals at a Boston competition against kids four and five years older than her.
"It's a little awkward when they're on the podium and the one on top only comes up to their waist!" said Anne-Marie Lemal Brown, Blodgett's skating coach.
Coach Lemal Brown says Blodgett's dedication to the sport is a rarity among kids her age.
"Her focus, her ability to really listen and to take instruction and to be able to spend a lot of time training. She works very hard on all of her elements and it's very impressive for a child that young," said Lemal Brown.
Blodgett has been keeping an eye on the Olympic figure skaters as they perform for millions of viewers. And she has her own audience to skate for, at intermission during Colgate University hockey games.
"I skated to Rocky, I skated to Elvis, I skated to one of the Disney songs," said Blodgett.
It's her interpretation of music that Blodgett's coach said makes her stand out.
"She has a sense of musicality and artistry that's something you really can't teach. It's either you have it or you don't and she has that," said Lemal Brown.
Coach said she gets asked all the time when Blodgett will be ready for the Olympics.
"We just take it one day at a time, one goal at a time and we'll see!" said Lemal Brown.
Hailey Blodget still has 10 years to go before she's old enough to compete in the Olympics.
The Riedell Skate Company has been sponsoring Hailey Blodgett since she was four years old.