DD doing competition today. Two days ago her double loop (normally strongest jump) "went on holiday" - sorry thats what her 8 year old little brother calls it. Earlier (yesterday) did a patch ice and couldn't land any double of any description and a passing coach actually advised her to leave the ice because she would hurt herself.
Well - competition today. Fell three times. One of the double loops and one of the double sals downgraded. (One double loop OK - but that should ahve been a combination one, double toe Ok) - even the spins weren't great compared to what she normally does.
The FIRST - she came off smiling. She just said she realised on the warm up she didn't feel "right" and that it wasn't "her day" and decided to have a good time and be positive and enjoy herself. It showed ito her posture/entertainment value (she added in some great new arm movements).
I'm so proud of this. No tears/ no fuss. Supported the other skaters from her rink. Cheered on skaters from other rinks. Smiled. Socialised. We had a great meal out afterwards. She looked at her scores - laughed at the deductions (-3), smiled at the non-downgraded doubles and the axel sequence, and commented quite maturely on her spins and running out of time in the program due to all the falls.
Now an even more determined goal to really improve several aspects of her skating over the summer holidays (once she breaks in her new boots which we hope to sort tomorrow).
I'm hoping its the start of good things to come and that she'll become really positive about her skating and herself.