IW synchronized skating teams struck gold and silver in the Biasca Trophy, held in Switzerland on 22 and 23 March. The Wight Jewels won the junior ISU event, and the Wight Crystals were second at juvenile level. Novice team the Wight Diamonds did well by scoring almost 9 points more than they did in the British championships in January, earning themselves an admirable sixth place.

After landing in Milan, Italy, the skaters and their supporters had a two-hour coach journey over the border to Bellinzona in Switzerland. They arrived late at night and had no idea of the surroundings until they woke the next day to find themselves surrounded by beautiful snow-peaked mountains.

The Island’s premier synchronized skating team, the Wight Jewels, competed across both days, performing their short programme to Bond on Saturday afternoon and their long programme to a medley of Madonna music on Sunday afternoon. The girls went back to the hostel on Saturday evening in a positive mood with a lead of just 0.73 over Black Rose of Hungary, and leaving everything to skate for in their long programme on Sunday.

On Sunday, Black Rose skated first, giving a faultless performance to an Abba medley. The Jewels had to push their game to the max and pulled off an amazing performance to achieve a score of 48.38, which combined with the result of the short programme gave them victory with a lead of 2.01.

The Wight Crystals competed against three different nations: Switzerland, Italy and Hungary. All three teams were much older and looked more experienced in practice, but the Crystals gave their most powerful performance to date with loads of personality, achieving a personal best of 27.64. The 15 girls and 1 boy performed their routine to a medley from Grease for the last time, as next season they will change their music and routine.

Novice team the Wight Diamonds faced a strong field of nine other teams from three different nations. The Diamonds’ line-up has only been in place for a matter of weeks with the arrival of new members and the inability of some experienced members to compete in Switzerland. None the less they scored a season’s best of 32.03 and a creditable sixth place.

“I am overwhelmed with the brilliant performances and results of all three teams; they were a credit to the Island and great ambassadors for Britain,” says coach Terri Smith. “Once again they upped their game and performed out of their skates to bring a remarkable close to their 2008/9 synchro season.

“It was great to give all my teams the opportunity to travel and compete internationally, they all had an amazing experience and hopefully more will follow in the future.”

The IW synchro teams would like to thank Planet Ice and Wightlink ferries for their continuing support and sponsorship.

The Jewels are: Demi Agar, Sarah Close, Isabelle Coeshott (Captain), Sabrina Danzig, Gemma Fishel, Leah Hancott, Naomi Hunter, Nicole Hinton, Charis Jones, Heather MacDonald, Alicia Macintyre, Gemma Marsh, Clare Mennie, Charlotte Mennie, Kate Nutbourne, Zoe Southwell, Emma Wilks and Louisa Wrighton.

The Diamonds are: Demi Agar, Kayleigh Baker, Sarah Close (captain), Tia Daley, Sabrina Danzig, Rachel Dickson, Leah Hancott, Nikita Heathfield, Nicole Hinton, Daisy Jones, Heather MacDonald, Alicia Macintyre, Isabella Parkes, Jemma Southwell, Zoe Southwell, Megan Wood and Louisa Wrighton.

The Crystals are: Kirsty Atter, Mitchell Brown, Charlotte Chapman, Roxanne Collins, Tia Daley, Leah Hancott, Nikita Heathfield, Beth Howarth, Daisy Jones, Ella Newnham, Phoebe Ockendon, Isabella Parkes, Kayleigh Pedley, Jemma Southwell, Zoe Southwell ( Captain) and Louisa Wrighton.

Biasca Trophy website: http://biasca-trophy.skating.ch/

Report provided by IW head coach Terri Smith.