An Okotoks youth will be representing Alberta in the men's novice division at the 2018 Canadian Tire National Skating Championships.

Tenth grade figure skater Tim Pomares will take on 18 of the country's best in from Jan 8-14 in Vancouver, B.C. after qualifying in Montreal, Q.C.

Pomares says he's been vying for a spot at nationals since the summer.

"I spent my summer competing trying to get qualifying scores for sectionals, which is basically the provincial qualifying competition. All of the sections in Canada then send representatives from their province to the Skate Canada Challenge in Montreal, where the top 18 from that event then qualify for nationals."

It's quite the accomplishment for the 15-year-old, who's only been figure skating for five years.

"I've been skating for five years, my mom signed me up for a class when I was ten, I skated here for a year, three years in Utah, and one more year here."

Although it's a big achievement for a five year skater, it didn't come easy for Pomares who trains for hours every week.

"I'm on the ice about two hours a day, I do yoga twice a week, and dry land conditioning twice a week as well."

Pomares shares while he's a little nervous for the competition, he's excited to give it his all at the two day competition, which includes a long and short program.

"I can only control what I'm going to do, so that's the part I'm excited for. I'm excited to go and show them what I've got, and really skate the way I know I can skate, I want to go and do my best."

Pomares says after nationals he'd like to continue competing, after his competitive career is over he'd like to become a jet setting performer touring the world.

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