Claire Mitchell trains at the high performance center in Melbourne under ukrainian coach, Tatyana Loukianenko. She has been involved in rhythmic gymnastics for 8 years after starting in grade 4 at her school, Strathcona, where she took it up as a hobby. Her training now has developed far beyond a hobby and she hopes to compete in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney. She says of her training:
"You have got to Sacrifice things like boyfriends and parties to put in the training... It's definitely worth it at the moment... when you get into competition and feel the excitement - it's definitly worth it."
Claire Mitchell won the 1998 Victorian (state) Championships for the first time in senior elite. In 1999 she won again - asserting herself as the top Victorian gymnnast for the second year in a row. In this competition she showed incredible improvement from the year before with complex routines, interesting and intricate movements, and beautiful expression. Her new trademark skill involves a switch-leg forward walkover with roop rotations on one foot throughout the entire skill (pictured left).
