Local Student Competes In International Skating Finals

Watchung Hills Regional High School junior Jasmine Lin and her fellow synchronized skating teammates will be competing in the World Junior Challenge Cup in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, Friday.

Jasmine, a member of the Skyliners Junior team, is the daughter of Joan and Vincent Lin, of Warren, who will be watching the finals via streaming video beginning at noon Friday (to watch the stream, click here).

Last week, the Skyliners added to a string of recent victories, claiming the US Synchronized Skating Championships in Ontario, Calif. The group performed its "Phantom of the Opera" in what the team's Head Coach Josh Babb said was “the performance of their lives,” according to the Skyliners' press release.

“I have tried to prepare the skaters to perform on this stage all year," Coach Babb said. "They exceeded all my expectations.”

Jasmine has being skating in synchronized since the fifth grade, her mother said, noting that in addition to her school work, she trains for four hours at the Mennen Ice Arena in Morristown, in addition to 10 hours with the Skyliners team.

"Since the Skyliners team is a member of Skating Club of New York and practice in three different ice rinks in New York—Connecticut area, it takes total of 12 hours driving to (and) from New Jersey to the rinks," Jasmine's mother said, adding she eats meals and does her homework en route in the car.  "That's total of 26 hours per week she spent for ice skating.  She said, 'You have only 24 hours a day, this is the only way to balance your school work and extra activity you love. '

"It's her passion drives us as parents to feel the need of supporting her," Joan Lin continued. "Though her team has won almost every competion this season, we were still very excited about last Friday's winning.  We are more proud to see their improvement one after another competition, which like stepping up the stairs.  Hope they will keep up the good work for the World Cup!"