A team from the IW was among seven that competed at the National Team Challenge in Bracknell on Sunday [29 June]. The competition embraces all aspects of figure skating including pairs, dance, synchro and free.

Gold medals went to Archie Bicknell and Jemma Southwell in the pairs and to Steve Taverner and Carol Taverner in the veteran ice dance couples.

Maggie Read collected silver in the ladies level 3 and under and Gemma Marsh took bronze in the level 8 and under artistic.

The Island’s youngest synchonized skating team, the Wight Crystals, came 4th in their event, competing against more experienced skaters because no limit had been set on the standard of skaters that could take part.

Overall, the IW team finished sixth, but their young skaters did the club proud on and off the ice and gained valuable experience.

Full results of the National Team Challenge are available on competition’s website at www.nationalteamchallenge.co.uk/results.htm. Bracknell won the overall event, with Chelmsford second and Guildford third.

Earlier in the week at Basingstoke opens, Tia Daley won silver in the free skating competition for beginner ladies aged 8 and 9. Archie Bicknell also took silver in the free skating, competing in the level 4 men’s event and landing his first double salchow jump in competition.

IW skaters swept the board in the level 1 and under solo exhibition. Jemma Southwell won the trophy with her interpretation of Puppet on a String, Nikita Heathfield took silver and Zoe Southwell collected bronze. The exhibition events also saw Archie Bicknell take his second medal of the opens, when his performance to a Robbie Williams medley earned him bronze at level 4 and over.

Coach Terri Smith said: “It was nice to welcome coach Matthew Russell with his first pupil, Mitchell Brown, to open competition, with Mitchell placing in the top half of the men’s beginners. Also congratulations to Kayleigh Pedley in her first open competition for finishing a creditable seventh out of 16.