TO LATE TO DO THE SPLIT

Whenever I participate in a dancing competition, I marvel at the rate at which the crowd goes 'gaga' for my opponent whenever she does the split, and it quickly puts her at the winning edge so I kill her off with my stepping skills. I don't remember doing the splits when I was a little girl. However, I just recently starting falling in love with it and getting into it because people told me it's never too late to start. I get discouraged seeing all the girls all flexible. Is it still possible for me to do the splits at this age?, if yes, for how long would I have to practice stretching?. Maybe I would have to stretch for like 30 minutes a day till I feel sore. I might not be a contortionist but I still rock as a dancer. Ciao!