Just like any other 17 year old, Elana Klopfstein has a lot on her plate. On top of countless hours of homework and classes during the school year, she is also an ice skater, practicing at least six days, 15 hours a week. The hours increase as competitions approach or during the summer.

Since Klopfstein was just 6 years old, she has been on the ice. Her parents signed her up for an ice skating program, and she learned to skate alongside her mom, she said.

As she got older she participated in more competitions, which now have become more complex and challenging.

Currently she is a junior in her ice skating program. She does fewer jumps than a senior would during a competition, but she is judged more critically, her jumps have to be cleaner and there is more artistry to it, she said.

During the school year it gets challenging to skate sometimes. The skating rinks are being used for hockey games or practices, but that doesn’t stop her from practicing year-round.

The countless hours of practice has all paid off for Klopfstein. In her last few competitions, she has landed a spot in the top four.

While talking about competitions, Klopfstein credits her calmness to her confidence. She practices hard before any competition and works on what she knows she needs to perfect. When she goes out on the ice she’s not nervous because she knows what she is doing.

“I know that I can do everything I’m supposed to,” Klopfstein said. “I know I have practiced a lot and know what I am doing.”

The Coach

Elaine Jurun has been coaching Klopfstein almost the entire time she has been skating. Juran has seen how much Klopfstein has grown as a skater throughout the years.

“It’s great to watch someone transform right in front of your eyes,” Jurun said.

Jurun has been part of the ice skating world for most of her life, starting at the age of 6 like Klopfstein. After years of skating she chose to become a coach.

Klopfstein wants to follow in Jurun’s path and coach when she gets older.

Besides doing competitions and eventually becoming a coach, Klopfstein wants to ice skate on a cruise ship. She said it would allow her to keep pursuing her passion of ice skating and she would get to travel to warm places.

Working her way to national’s is Klopfstein’s next step. She has regionals, sectionals and then nationals if she qualifies.

The Tahoma High School senior will have a busy school year working toward her national’s goal and being a regular, but very talented, teenager.