[ ahley hinton - usa ] j a y s o n s u t c l i f f e . c o m

world winning loops

Golden Girl

[ Main Athletes Page ]

Previous
Athletes of the Year

Roberto Riva

Previous
Athletes of the month:

2004 World No.1 - Junior Ladies Figures, Fresno California, USA.
It was a golden year for young Ashley Hinton, from a family of skating fanatics. Her dream to become World Champion was realized when she dominated the field whilst competing in Fresno in 2004 at the Junior World championships. Ashley, not only a figure skater, also competes successfully at National level for dance and solo dance, having won a total of NINE US National titles to date. Coached by top American coach, Paul Hinton, and legendary Ron Jellse, Hinton aims to continue to push herself and other skaters in the US towards golden glory in the coming years.
Ashely Hinton: 'Athletes of the Month'.. Feb/March 2005

coaches: Paul Hinton and Ron Jellse

club: Reflections Skating Club

school: Countryside High School, Clearwater Fla.

interests: Academics, Track and Field, Dancing, Basketball

Achievements :

W O R L D CHAMPIONSHIPS:
2004: 1st Junior Ladies Figures

National US Championships:
9x National Champion
5x Silver Medalist
3x Bronze Medalist

ROLABOi Awards 2004 [here]
Winner - Junior Ladies Figures

About Ashley...
I first had a pair of skates on at nine months old. So you could practically say that I was born with skates on. My first competition was at age three. Through the years, I have worked very hard, but my goal was always to be world champion. The road to becoming World Champion included many wonderful awards which include National medals, the 2000 Southern Region Skater of the Year, getting my picture on the front of the USA Skate Magazine, and of course winning Worlds at the age of 15.

Up close with Ashley...

How many hours do you practice per week, and on what?
I do, 2 and a half to 3 hrs 5 days a week, and on Sunday, 6 hrs, plus I do a lot of studying of people such as Tony St. Jaques and the great dance skater Lisa Friday.

How do you divide your time between your disciplines?
I do figures most of the time during the week because the floor that I practice on during the week is too small for dance, but when I travel to Ron on the weekends, I do dance with him.

What disciplines do you do exactly?
In 2004 at Nationals, I skated Freshman Team Dance, Freshman Solo Dance, Freshman Girls Figures, and of course, Jr. World Class Women's Figures. This year, I will skate Jr. World Class Women's Figures and Jr. Solo Dance. No partner for me.

What plans do you have for the future?
This coming year, I would really like to go to Rome and defend my title and then move to Senior in 2006

Where do you expect to see Roller Sports in the next 5-10yrs?
Any way you think you could promote the sport? I would love to see the sport go back to where it was 15, 20, 25 years ago. You had people like Paul and Tina, Tony St. Jaques, Kevin Carroll, Jody and Greg, and Tim McGuire. I also believe that to promote the sport here in my country, you have to take it out to the people to daycares and after school programs. You can't expect them to come to you.

Do you think it is necessary for Figures to remain in the sport at world level?
Yes, of course!!!!!!!!!! Figures are the basis for everything in our sport. It teaches you everything that you need to know for dance and freestyle. Look at the people that are great freestyle skaters like Roberto Riva, Ilenia Baldissier, and Luca D'Alisera. They are also great figure skaters.

Have you ever tried doing figures on INLINE? (hahahaa) Right, sorry Jayson, but no. Actually, one year I skated Inline Creative Solo, and when I went to the Florida State Games, they had a creative figure event, and I did it in my inlines. It was quite fun actually. But aside from that, I think that I will just stick to my Roller Skates. LoL.

Above: Ashley during her World championship Figure winning performance in Fresno, 2004. Images by R.Corbelletti

Personal message from Ashley:
"Remember: Every competition is just another day of practice."

Thanks to Ashley, and best of luck for 2005...