Browell earns top marks at figure skating championships

What a difference a year has made for Bendigo figure skater Kassidy-Rae Browell, with the 15-year-old reaching new heights in ice-skating competition.Following a move from the Bendigo Ice Skating Rink to the new Docklands ‘Icehouse’ arena this year, Browell achieved a personal best at the prestigious Hollins Trophy at Sydney’s Canterbury Ice Rink on the long weekend.The Girton Grammar student, who travels to Melbourne five times a week for training, earned a third-place finish in the short program, before going on to finish in fifth place in the Novice Ladies division.The 2010 Hollins Trophy was Browell’s first competition in seven months and the first under new coach Dorothy Bisset, who is one of Australia’s most experienced ice skating professionals.Browell’s mother Leah said Kassidy’s performance in Sydney was a great start to the skating season.“This year’s fifth placing is so much more than what was expected,’’ she said.“Kassidy-Rae was aiming to hold her 2009 (Hollins) 10th placing and the weekend’s fifth placing was fantastic.“She’s been working hard and is so focused on making the most of every training opportunity.”Browell’s next major event on the ice skating rink will be at the Winter Sun 2010 at the Ice World Olympic Rink, Acacia Ridge in Queensland from July 7 to 11.