����ý

My name is Josephine.I'm 11 years oldand I'm a speed skater in Inzell.

TRANSLATED:

Inzell is world-famousfor speedskating.Inzell is at the foot of the Alpsin a region called Chiemgau.And it's in Bavaria.We have lots of beautifulmountains.These are the Alpsand the Alps are in Germany.Over there, where you can see thesnow caps, that's all Austria.The river is made frommelting ice waterthat runs down from the mountains.It's a little bit cloudy butotherwise you could see Munich.And Munich is where my mum works.

Sometimes, I like to go walking inthe forest.The forest is veryimportant in our area.It protects us from rock andsnow avalanches.It gives us wood as we still buildmany houses from wood.We also use the wood for ourheating.

There are lots of farms in Bavaria.Some of the farms are very old.The animals, mostly the cows,are now brought into barnsbecause it's getting colderand the snow will come soon.They'll stay there until April.Some cows are still in the meadowsbut they'll soon be brought in.

In the autumn, like now,we still get sunny days.So, sometimes, I like to go waveboarding with my friend, Susanna.I especially likewave boarding with herbecause we can dolots of good tricks together.Soon, we won't be able to any more,because in winter we always geta lot of snowfalls.Sometimes more than a metre.

Here, in Inzell, you can do lots ofsports in the winter,like skiing, cross-country skiingand sledging.But, for me,the best is speed skating.Speed skating actually startedat a lake here called Frillensee.In the 1950s and '60s,people trained here in winterand there were very importantcompetitions here.It's the coldest lake in Germany.And one of the coldest in Europe.In the winter,it's completely frozen.Now, all the competitions are heldat our new indoor arena.The ice stadium in Inzellis really new.It was officially openedfor the world Championships in 2011.It's the most modern speed skatingarena in Europeand in Germany there are only three.Teams come from all overthe world to train here.It can offer teams the best trainingfacilities all year round.

I trained three times a week withmy two friends, Anita and Susanna.We get on really welland we joke around and chat.Anita and Susanna are bothreally nice.When we train,we often skate in a threesome,one behind the other.we are all the same speed and levelso we can keep together,which is always much more fun.It's great racingaround the track together,feeling the air rushing passed us.At competitions,we wear a skin-tight suit.Then we feel so light on the ice.Almost like you're flying.And, yes, that's just sucha great feeling.I hope you can comeand watch us one day!