Looking to skate with the confidence, power and control she displayed while winning a regional championship in October, the 13-year-old athlete is in Westminster, Colo., for the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships. The event, which provides national championship competition for juvenile and intermediate skaters in free skate, pairs and dance, runs through Dec. 3.

Dano's spins, jumps and flips will be compared with those of 41 other skaters who are seeking a national title in the Intermediate Ladies division. Most of the challengers qualified by placing among the top four in one of nine regional competitions held throughout the nation.

As she did last fall while competing in the lower Juvenile Ladies bracket, Dano captured first place at the Central Pacific Regional Championships Oct. 19-22 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Representing University Ice Skating Club of San Jose, Dano topped a field of 34 at the regional by winning the freeskate (long program) and taking second in the short program.