With the countdown to the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea already ticking down, six Manatee County Olympic hopefuls have been training hard on the ice, hoping to lock down their spots on Team USA in the figure skating competition.
- Three pairs training in Ellenton
- Only one pairs spot left on U.S. Olympic team
- Qualifying competition in December
Nate Bartholomay and Deanna Stellato are one of the sport's newest pairings. They are both seasoned pros, but definitely a unique couple.
Bartholomay was part of a figure skating pair on Team USA in the 2014 Olympics in Sochi. Now he's back at it with a new partner.
Stellato, meanwhile, retired from skating altogether in 2001. She was an individual skater and won many championships, but never took a chance on the Olympic team. Now 16 years later and at 34-years-old, she's back on the ice.
She calls her partnership with Bartholomay "serendipitous." They have only worked together for a little more than a year.
"It's like being a really good pitcher in baseball, then retiring for 16 years and coming back as a first baseman," Stellato said. "You know the game, but you don't understand the dynamics of that particular position."
With a handful of pairs from across the country at their level, and just one spot on the Olympic team, the competition is heated.
"There's never going to be a point where you're really ready," said Bartholomay. "I feel either you're the best and someone is right at your heels or you're trying to catch somebody who's the best."
In all, three pairs that train in Ellenton are in the running for the Olympic spot. The qualifying competition is in December.