I believe Kanon is still 13 years old. Our family also thought her winning a national title wouldn't have been inappropriate given what she threw down on the ice.
Kanon was always a generally fast skater, though, ever since she was five (she started at the same rink as my kid, now closed permanently - another casualty of the past year-and-a-half). Over time, her artistry has been improving to keep up with her solid jumps and insanely impressive spins. Her family, mom especially, has done a fantastic job at trying to get her the training she needs from an early age; not easy in this neck of the woods. So she's had to drive a lot, and fly for lessons whenever possible.
I especially think that keeping her music more on the youthful side has been smart; she has time to grow into more mature themes (you're only young once, why rush it?) and that at nationals, her musical interpretation was nicely matched to the entire presentation. Other skaters had more sophisticated music and it was a bit above their pay grade when they're so young. (Of course, some skaters can handle whatever's thrown at them, but it's uncommon.) Skaters are put at a disadvantage when they are given numbers that don't resonate with them chronologically-speaking, and it's a wasted opportunity. Who's to say what they can interpret when they are older? The time to try different themes is now. That is not to say a number should appear childish; but age-appropriate and more about emotional interpretation of themes that don't default to adult concepts of physical attractiveness/sexiness (singles) or romance (pairs, dance). After 18, all bets are off. (Not a prude here, just think childhood is worth preserving and honoring.)
Although our paths don't cross regularly now (my kid has to train elsewhere) every few months we bump into them (chasing practice ice locally). She continues to do her thing and build a solid foundation with natural talent meeting drive and hard work on the ice. She is the real deal.
Kanon was always a generally fast skater, though, ever since she was five (she started at the same rink as my kid, now closed permanently - another casualty of the past year-and-a-half). Over time, her artistry has been improving to keep up with her solid jumps and insanely impressive spins. Her family, mom especially, has done a fantastic job at trying to get her the training she needs from an early age; not easy in this neck of the woods. So she's had to drive a lot, and fly for lessons whenever possible.
I especially think that keeping her music more on the youthful side has been smart; she has time to grow into more mature themes (you're only young once, why rush it?) and that at nationals, her musical interpretation was nicely matched to the entire presentation. Other skaters had more sophisticated music and it was a bit above their pay grade when they're so young. (Of course, some skaters can handle whatever's thrown at them, but it's uncommon.) Skaters are put at a disadvantage when they are given numbers that don't resonate with them chronologically-speaking, and it's a wasted opportunity. Who's to say what they can interpret when they are older? The time to try different themes is now. That is not to say a number should appear childish; but age-appropriate and more about emotional interpretation of themes that don't default to adult concepts of physical attractiveness/sexiness (singles) or romance (pairs, dance). After 18, all bets are off. (Not a prude here, just think childhood is worth preserving and honoring.)
Although our paths don't cross regularly now (my kid has to train elsewhere) every few months we bump into them (chasing practice ice locally). She continues to do her thing and build a solid foundation with natural talent meeting drive and hard work on the ice. She is the real deal.
