Tuğba Karademir is a gorgeous figure skater from Turkey. Yes, they have ice there! She started skating at age five when the first rink opened in Turkey. As her skills grew, the rink remained the only one in Turkey. Her parents made a difficult decision to move to Canada for further training and growth for Tugba on ice. Her parents, who were professionals in Turkey, faced the immigrant experience of taking on low-skill, low-wage jobs in Canada to support her skating. Tugba was eventually offered a spot on the Canadian team, but she wouldn't forget her Turkish roots. She perservered and is representing Turkey for the 2nd time in the Olympics.
I truly enjoy Tugba's skating and style. She has the most beautiful position in a catch-foot camel. Her backed is arched into a gorgeous bow and she hyperextends her leg to spin on an inside edge. Breathtaking. She doesn't do the same level of difficulty in her jumps, no triple-triple combos and I don't think she does a triple Lutz either. This usually keeps her down in the standings, but definitely keep an eye out for her!
Tugba looks over her shoulder at her Turkish fans at the Worlds in LA. ~ photos by me (that's why they're bad).
Also check out Panasonic's
One Winter, Five Dreams site to follow Tugba's Olympic experience. One of my favorite bloggers, Aaron at
Axels, Loops and Spins is writing for that site too.
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