GOING FOR THE GOLD SIMI ICE SKATER FIGURES ON SPOT ON UNITED STATES OLYMPIC TEAM.

Byline: Brad A. Greenberg Staff Writer

SIMI VALLEYAfter more than a decade in training, skating hours every day and striving for perfection, Danielle Kahle's chance at an Olympic medal will come down to just a couple of minutes this week.

The Simi Valley teen is in St. Louis, Mo., where she'll compete Thursday and Saturday in the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and vie for a spot on America's Winter Olympics team.

``A lot of skaters are after the top three spots,'' said Danielle, 16.

She and 18 others - including Beatrissa Liung of Granada Hills - hope to not only secure a place as one of the best skaters in the U.S., but also the opportunity to compete next month for an Olympic medal in Turin, Italy.

Danielle won the novice category at the nationals four years ago. She took 10th in the 2004 senior category and 11th last year.

``At her age and experience, she is a dark horse, definitely,'' said her trainer, Frank Carroll, who formerly coached figure-skating legend Michelle Kwan. ``If I had to be absolutely ecstatic about the results, I would say in the top six.''

Danielle has competed with more heart this year, Carroll said, but ``we're trying to overcome a tendency to not be consistent.''

Danielle, a junior at Moorpark High School, trains more than 20 hours a week. She skates at least two hours each weekday, adds an hour of Pilates or yoga, and runs a few miles. There are also the hours she spends in the car, being driven from home in Simi Valley to her training rink in El Segundo.

Last week, on winter break, she left the house several mornings at 8 and returned about 2 p.m., only to head to the Easy Street Ice Arena in Simi Valley for more skating.

``When you figure-skate and you are good at it, it's a whole-family project,'' Carroll said. ``You can't just do it alone.''

Danielle's two brothers and two sisters have helped her pursue her passion, driving her to practices and even flying with her to Europe when their single mom couldn't attend the 2003 Junior Grand Prix in Croatia, which Danielle won.

Cathy Kahle works the front desk at the Easy Street rink. She is proud of her daughter's success, but she doesn't expect Danielle to make a career of it.

``I hope she can be successful in whatever she wants to do. I don't know what that might be,'' Cathy Kahle said.

Danielle's not yet sure either. She would like to be a professional figure skater, but also enjoys acting.

Thursday, she will skate to the theme from ``Romeo and Juliet'' and on Saturday to ``Beauty and the Beast.''

``I'll feel good if I skate good,'' Danielle said. ``I'll be happy with two clean programs.''

Brad A. Greenberg, [phone]

brad.greenberg(at)dailynews.com

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3 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Figure-skater Danielle Kahle practices for the U.S. Figure Skating Championships, and a spot on America's winter Olympic team, as coach Cindy Gould spots her on a jump.

(2) Figure-skater Danielle Kahle, 16, a Moorpark High School student, right, talks with her mom Cathy Kahle, left, cashier at the Easy Street Ice Arena in Simi Valley, during a break in practice.

(3) Ice skaters Danielle Kahle, left, and friend Tracy Flores take a break to enjoy some ice cream behind the Simi Valley arena.

Tina Burch/Staff Photographer