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Special Olympians from across Canada are in Calgary for a training camp

Eighteen-year-old Special Olympian Moriah Van't Land, from Coalhurst, Alta., says she started figure skating when she was six years old, and she loves being on the ice. Eighteen-year-old Special Olympian Moriah Van't Land, from Coalhurst, Alta., says she started figure skating when she was six years old, and she loves being on the ice.
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Team Canada figure skaters took to the ice on Friday morning at the Seven Chiefs Sportsplex to work on their routines.

They'll head to Turin, Italy, for the Special Olympics World Winter Games in March 2025.

Eighteen-year-old Special Olympian Moriah Van't Land, from Coalhurst, Alta., says she started figure skating when she was six years old, and she loves being on the ice.

"I like doing jumps and crossovers and laps around the ice," she said.

This will be Van't Land's first time competing in the Special Olympics World Winter Games.

Her coach, Olea Taboulchanas, she says there's a lot to like when Van't Land is on the ice.

"She is a natural performer," Taboulchanas said.

"Sometimes you don't get to see it until she's in front of an audience. I'm super proud and sometimes she does things that are unexpected, and it makes me realize how much potential she has."

Van't Land wants to use all that potential at the games in Italy, and she's been working hard on her routine.

Van't Land says she has one goal in mind.

"I want to get the medal. I want to win the gold medal," she said.

Her coach has no doubt she'll try her hardest to bring home the gold.

"She's very competitive and with the right communications, she's very capable," Taboulchanas said.

"If you ask her to fling her arm this way and fling her arm that way and blow kisses to the judges, she'll perform, absolutely."

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