A strong group of Isle of Wight figure skaters competed in the Kent Opens at Gillingham on Monday 10 November. All skaters faced tough competition in larger groups than in previous opens this season.

Competing in her first open competition Charlotte Mennie had an excellent debut, winning the Synchro Trophy in the beginner ladies age 12 and over class; Isabella Parkes gained third place.

Nikita Heathfield had an excellent skate to take silver in the Pauline Wood Trophy for level 2 ladies any age. Maggie Read was narrowly beaten into silver place in the Sharon Friend Trophy for level 4 ladies any age.

Skating for the first time at his new level, Archie Bicknell won silver in the Colin Butcher Memorial Trophy for Level 5 men.

IW skaters kept up their great reputation for winning the artistic classes, collecting five out of the six medal places. Jemma Southwell won the Joanne Conway Artistic Cup for level 3 and under skaters, Isabella Parkes took silver and Nikita Heathfield the bronze.

Yelena Brown won the Rosina Memorial Trophy with her Charlie and the Chocolate Factory routine; Maggie Read took silver with her interpretation of Ghost Busters.

Coach Terri Smith said: “It was great to see the last competition of the free skating season finish with so many medals and trophies coming home with my skaters. All my skaters have been working hard this year and many will now work on their test levels and new programmes for next year’s competitive season.

“It’s not a break now as the synchro season is at its peak, with British and International competitions coming up in the New Year.”

The IW’s competitive skaters can be seen in in action at the Christmas Ice show at Planet Ice on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December.