Firth’s Resume Continues To Grow

By Scott Kindberg

9/30/2007 - Earlier this month, the phone rang at Taylor Firth’s Grand Island home.

As it turned out, the call was a historic one.

photo by: Scott Kindberg

On the other end of the line was a representative from United States Figure Skating, who informed the 16-year-old Jamestown Skating Academy student and Jamestown Skating Club member that she had been selected to compete in the Finlandia Trophy next month in Helsinki.

"She’s the only girl from the United States that’s going," said JSA co-director Kirk Wyse, who will accompany her on the trip along with her father Mike.

But there’s more.

Firth not only is the only girl competing from the U.S., but she’s also the first female freestyle figure skater from Western New York to ever have earned a berth in a senior international event.

"I think that alone tells you what an accomplishment it is," Wyse said.

Firth called the opportunity "an honor."

"I’m really excited and it will be a really great experience," Firth said after a practice session at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena. "I’m thrilled that (U.S. Figure Skating) gave it to me."

Well, it’s not like it was handed to her.

In fact, Firth was considered for the Finlandia Trophy by virtue of her performances in January at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Spokane, Wash. While there — Firth was the first woman from WNY since 1932 to qualify — she placed 14th overall among 22 skaters, which drew enough attention to issue her an invitation to compete in Finland in October.

"This is a bigger deal than in January," Firth said, "because it’s based on how you place (at nationals)."

In other words, the world is taking notice of the 5-foot-4 red-haired talent.

"She had to go through a screening process in Philadelphia in July and she totally nailed it," Wyse said. "After that, the U.S. Figure Skating officials said she’d be assigned an event."

The long-awaited phone call came less than three weeks ago.

"This is definitely a wonderful opportunity for her," said JSA co-director Lenel van den Berg of the all-expenses paid trip, "and it’s a chance for her to be recognized not only nationally, but internationally."

Mike Ferguson, general manager of the JSBIA said. "We are so proud to have Taylor represent our country and the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena. Taylor’s a wonderful young woman, a super representative of our community and we couldn’t be happier for her. Her accomplishments reflect the support of a loving family and friends and outstanding coaches, like Kirk and Lenel."

A student of Wyse and van den Berg for nearly four years, Firth makes daily trips to Jamestown to train, while deftly keeping up with her academics — she is home-schooled — and maintaining her many friendships among her fellow skaters at the club.

On a sportswriter’s recent visit to the rink, two of Firth’s friends and fellow skaters climbed ladders to hold an American flag, which served as a backdrop for a "Taylor-made" photo shoot.

The girls didn’t seem to mind a bit.

"We’re like a family here," Firth said, "so it makes it that much easier to work hard. ... I recommend it to anyone who wants to skate. Everything mixed together makes it an awesome place."

In turn, Firth has developed some awesome talent that has only grown since her trip to senior nationals eight months ago.

"She’s really improved," van den Berg said. "Her performance has gotten better, as has her technique, her speed and her confidence."

That was demonstrated in early September when Firth competed in the 82nd annual Mid-Atlantic Championship at Chelsea Piers in Manhattan against, among others, a woman from Georgia of the former Soviet Union and another top three-ranked skater from Canada.

"She won the whole thing," van den Berg said.

Firth also was the champion at Skate Chautauqua in August and was featured prominently in Excellence On Ice in May.

But now she’s headed for her biggest stage yet.

"I don’t really like to think about the outcome," she said. "You just do your stuff and, hopefully, the judges will like what they see.

"It would obviously be great to place, but I’m looking forward to two solid programs. I’m just looking to skate well."

The competition in Helsinki will feature skaters Karolina Costner, the current Italian champion and European champion along with Finnish champion Susanna Poykio, Swedish champion Viktoria Helgesson, German champion Annette Dytrt, Russian champion Arina Martinova, and British champion Jenna McCorkell.

"We have heard nothing but good comments about the quality of the event from our coaching friends who have attended it in the past," Wyse said.

Firth’s trip to Helsinki runs simultaneously with the North Atlantic Regionals, which will be held at the Pepsi Center in Amherst. Van den Berg will take charge of the 24 JSA students, including Firth’s sisters, 14-year-old Chelsea and 12-year-old Sierra, who will be competing.

Patti Firth, the girls’ mother, will be closer to home rooting her younger daughters on, while Mike Firth travels abroad with Taylor.

"I give a lot of credit to my parents," Taylor said. "They’ve made a lot of sacrifices not only financially, but with the time it takes to drive down here every day."

Speaking of driving, Taylor will get her senior license at the end of October, a rite of passage that every teenager looks forward to. In her case, however, it seems like she’s been in the driver’s seat for a long time.

One can only imagine where her skating will continue to take her.

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