Lethbridge athlete to compete in Italy for 2025 Special Olympics World Winter Games

Moriah Van’t Land is nary alien to title connected a large stage, having antecedently taken location golden medals successful nan past astatine some nan Alberta and nan Canadian Special Olympic wintertime games successful fig skating.

However, this will beryllium nan first clip this 17-year-old athlete’s talent’s return her overseas.

“I’m truthful excited to spell to Italy,” said Van’t Land. “I’ve been practicing hard, I’m nan champion and I for illustration doing two-foot spins because they’re truthful easy.”

Van’t Land has been named nan sole fig skater from Alberta to compete pinch Team Canada astatine nan Special Olympic World Games successful Turin, Italy, adjacent year.

Her coach, Olea Taboulchanas, has been moving pinch Van’t Land since 2016 and says it’s astonishing to spot her progression done nan sport.

“Holy cow, to travel from not skating, to learning to skate, to being a imaginable world champion. It’s conscionable crazy,” explained Taboulchanas.

While her coach won’t beryllium heading pinch Van’t Land to Europe adjacent spring, she’s excited to thief her hole for nan world stage.

“We person been training based connected nan Skate Canada rules, and now we person a full different group of elements that she has to do and conquer,” shared Taboulchanas.

Moriah’s mom, Angela Van’t Land, says she’s highly proud of her daughter.

“I ne'er dreamed that she’d beryllium capable to do things for illustration this, to beryllium an jock travelling internationally. It’s an opportunity that very fewer group get, truthful it’s very breathtaking that she is capable to do this,” said Angela.

“We’re beyond thrilled for her.”

Van’t Land will proceed training 3 to 4 times a week successful Lethbridge and Calgary, earlier she jets disconnected to Europe successful March 2025.