Jurun blossoms in masters figure skating, competes in U.S. showcase

Elaine Jurun has never let fear stop her from reaching a goal.

As a child, the blades of her ice skates scared her, but that fear wasn’t enough to deter Jurun from learning to spin like a top, jump high in the air and glide effortlessly across the smooth ice.

Now, as an adult, the Auburn woman has set an even greater goal, and no possible fear is going to get between her and that prized gold medal.

This weekend, Jurun will compete in the 2013 U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships in Scottsdale, Ariz.

Unlike before when she competed in pair skating, Jurun will be all alone on the ice representing the region.

“Getting back into this as a single skater was tough,” Jurun said, “(And) I’m the only one in the entire competition from the Pacific Northwest.”

But the pressure to compete isn’t enough to scare her away. Practicing everyday at the Kent Valley Ice Center, no one could tell that Jurun only started training as a single skater last June. And although she skates through her program at least twice a day, she’s not leaving any stone unturned this time when it comes to the rules.

At sectionals last month in Pasadena, Calif., Jurun was marked down for having too many of the same jump, leaving her in second place. This time around, she’s fixed her 3 minute, 40-second program, hoping the changes will make a difference.

“I’ve got seven jumps, three of them combinations, three spins, and a footwork sequence,” she said. “(And) if I’m changing anything in my program, I’m reading that (rule) book.”

Jurun explained that in an adult division, the pressure to move up to the next level isn’t there, allowing her to focus more on her love of skating as opposed to competition side of it. But she’s still proud that at her age, she’s able to land some pretty difficult moves.

“I’m 31 and can still do a triple salchow,” Jurun said, a feat most adult skaters might find harder as they get older.

Age also doesn’t stop Jurun from exploring the her creativity when it comes to coaching as well. Some coaches will stick to a more conservative style. Not Jurun. She prides herself on having artistic choreography, not only in her students’ programs but also her own.

So for the upcoming competition, Jurun used her artistic vision to create a program – music, moves and all – based on a dress that reminded her of the 1700s.

“A lot of people find pretty music and just skate,” she said. “I always find a theme and stick to it the whole time. My music is from the Marie Antoinette movie.”

With her hair poofed up and her pink renaissance inspired outfit, Jurun’s ready to compete against 13 other skaters in the Masters Junior/Senior Championship event.

“I’m excited to do my program,” she said. “I really enjoy (skating), but I wouldn’t (compete) if I didn’t think I had a chance.”