Cameron's one cool customer
Penrith Press
31 July 2007

CAMERON Hemmert hates cold mornings but knows he can rely on the ice in his veins when the pressure is on.

The 12-year-old from Orchard Hills is one of the most promising junior ice skaters in the country and is this week's entrant for the Penrith Press Junior Sports Star of the Year Award. Cameron began skating four years ago at Penrith Ice Palace and now competes at the elite level in single skating, pairs skating and ice dancing.

"I'm home schooled and went to the ice rink one time on an excursion with a friend. I really liked it and have been skating ever since," he said. Cameron's mother, Gail Hemmert said his involvement in ice skating became serious when he was "talent scouted" at Canterbury Ice Rink by Andrei Filipov, a former Olympic coach.

"Cameron gets up at 4.30am five days a week to travel the long journey to Canterbury Ice Rink," Mrs Hemmert said.

He trains at least 15 hours a week both on the ice and off."

Cameron said his training schedule was rigourous but his love of skating is enough to get him out of bed in the freezing cold each morning.

Cameron competes regularly and has dominated the primary men's division, 14 years and under, in NSW for the past two years.

In May 2006, at the Sydney Figure Skating Club Championships Cameron took out first place in all three of his best events, elementary pairs, elementary single and pre-primary dance.

This year he has already won first place in the primary men's division of the Sydney Club Championships and only last week took out first place in the primary men's division at the 2007 State Championships at Penrith Ice Palace.

"The competition is really tough and you have to not let yourself be distracted by other competitors.

"It can also be dangerous. I once fell down and smashed my knee so hard I had to come straight off."

Cameron recently lost his young female skating partner for the pairs and ice dancing events and is looking for another one.

Anyone who may be interested in partnering Cameron can call the Canterbury Ice Rink on 9789 4044.

But for now Cameron's main concern is the National Championships beginning in three weeks in Newcastle.

"My main goals are to one day become Australian National Champion in singles and then qualify for the Olympics," he said.