Kathryn Thomson has made senior World Cup and European Championship appearances for Great Britain this year and she knows they'll come in handy as she bids for Youth Olympic success.
The 17-year-old short track speed skater was part of the British team at the final World Cup round of the season in Dresden last weekend, reaching the repechage heats of the first of two 1500m events.
She also joined forces with the all-conquering Elise Christie as well as Charlotte Gilmartin and Alex Stanley for the ladies' 3000m relay in Germany having done the same at the European Championships last month.
And it is this, coupled with promising performances elsewhere, that has Thomson upbeat for her outing at the European Youth Olympic Winter Festival in Brasov, Romania.
Her campaign begins with the 1500m before racing in the 500m, 1000m and mixed relay and Thomson is confident as to what she can achieve on her Olympic debut.
“I’ve had a great time so far competing in the Star series representing Great Britain and have won quite a few medals,” said Thomson.
“A silver and a bronze overall in two of the events was a great result and to get to go with the senior team as part of the relay at the Europeans was an amazing experience as well.
“And going into Romania I really hope that I can produce my best, it will be up against a lot of the same girls that I compete against in the Star series.
“But you never know, this is probably the biggest event I have done in my age group and I really hope that I can go well, I feel good and it’s a great experience for me to have.
“This is my second last event of the season, with the Star European finals still to come so I would love finish off the season in style and to get an Olympic medal would just be amazing.”
© Sportsbeat 2013