When she crashed her sledge into a tree last January, and ruptured her spleen, Taylor Ronald's parents were distraught at the potentially life-threatening injury.

When she crashed her sledge into a tree last January, and ruptured her spleen, Taylor Ronald's parents were distraught at the potentially life-threatening injury. The 13-year-old's sole concern, though, was that she'd miss the British Ice Skating Championships two days later.

The East Kilbride girl had qualified by winning the Welsh Open novice title, but while the championships went ahead, she had to undergo emergency surgery. Then she remained in hospital for 10 days, recovering and battling for the chance of a normal life.

"Mum and dad just said not to worry, that it was important to get my health back," said Taylor who, almost a year later, has succeeded.

Despite an enforced three-month absence, last weekend she retained the Welsh figure skating title, with higher scores than 12 months ago. She has won several other open titles including Coventry, Dundee, and Hull in recent months; she's Britain's highest-scoring novice (under 15) and is No.5 junior (under 18) in the UK. Two of those above her are actually American.

Taylor, who has also been Scottish champion, has now qualified for both novice and junior events at next month's British championships. She's the highest ranked 13-year-old in the UK junior division and one of only three of her age in the GB junior top 20.

Today she is auditioning for a part in an ice carnival.

"All my jumps have improved, and I've landed a double axel in competition," she says. "Now I need to do that consistently."

Taylor is the daughter of Carluke golf club professional, the 2004 Scottish PGA champion and former European Tour player Craig Ronald and his wife, Lorraine. "Despite that accident, she has no fear of the ice at all," says Craig.

He saw the accident, as his daughter made her last run of the day on a hill near their home. The stress was exacerbated as Lorraine was waiting to donate a kidney to her sister.

Their daughter became interested in skating when she was given vouchers for Christmas by her grandfather five years ago. She is still with Leanne Mullen, the professional coach who took that first session.

"She is a very determined girl," said Mullen, "and works her socks off. In hospital she said she was determined to come back, and I knew she'd do it. Her scores are better now than at the time of the accident, and she's technically better and stronger."

At the Welsh event last weekend, the East Kilbride club scooped all three medals, with Sarah Rodgers second and Lara Bagen third.

Skating costs are punitive. It's £55 to enter the three qualifying events and the British Championships themselves. Then there's travel and accommodation, plus training twice a month in Coventry.

"There's no support until you get to the very top level," says Leanne. "Even the Kerrs Sinead and John, the five-times British ice dance champions had a good world ranking before they got a penny, and even that was a struggle. It's a shame. Kids in other sports seem to get funding more easily.

"Our skaters are all self-funded, though we run race nights to try to help parents with costs."

Craig Ronald confesses: "Taylor's skating now costs us around £600 per month - more than our monthly mortgage. Sponsorship would help. People think because you're a professional golfer, you're loaded, but that's far from the case.

"I'm obviously biased, but we do think Taylor could be an Olympic skater if she gets proper support and backing."

It will involve sacrifice all round. Coach Leanne has a five-month old baby, but like Taylor she is up before 5am, five times a week, for training.

Because of constraints on ice-time, four morning sessions a week currently have to be at Murrayfield, in Edinburgh. On these days they are up at 4.30am and on the ice an hour later.

Taylor's school, Calderglen High, have given a dispensation permitting late arrival after early morning training. "They have been a fantastic help," says dad.

Though her scores suggest she should win the novice crown on her first British Championship appearance on January 12, Taylor is cagey. "I'd be disappointed not to win," she says, "because I do have a chance. But we'll see how it goes. In future I'd like to make it to the Olympics, and get as far as I can."

She is in for the long haul, however, and wants to make her career in the sport: "Ultimately, I'd like to go on and coach."