IW synchronized skating team the Wight Jewels skated with a galaxy of stars last weekend at a charity ice gala in Guildford.

The Wightlink-sponsored Jewels were invited to perform at Guildford as the top-ranked junior synchronized skating team in Britain. They shared the ice with 2007 Dancing on Ice champion Kyran Bracken MBE and top professional skaters Elena Berezhnaya and Steven Cousins in a show compered by Dancing on Ice judge Nicky Slater.

For the girls it was a chance to perform their new programme for the first time in public, as they gear up for the forthcoming competitive season. It was also an opportunity to be reunited with junior ice dance champion Charlotte Aiken and her brother Henry, both of whom learned to skate on the IW, and their respective ice dance partners Josh Whidborne and Annika Maczka.

The gala was a taste of things to come as a new ice show, Ice Party Champions, will see the Jewels reunited with these star skaters at Planet Ice’s Isle of Wight and Basingstoke rinks in September. The performances showcase an impressive line-up of celebrity and champion ice skaters and promise a fantastic mix of ice skating and all-round family entertainment.

Kyran Bracken will compere the show and perform alongside actress and 2010 Dancing on Ice winner Hayley Tamaddon, who will also be skating with her winning partner and professional skater Daniel Whiston. Also performing will be 2002 Olympic pairs champion Elena Berezhnaya and eight times British champion Steven Cousins.

The show will be directed by Steven Cousins and will feature a host of amateur ice skating champions and local winning skaters, providing an incredible spectacle of top class skating and a must-see show. The Wight Jewels will be performing at all the shows, and are very honored to be in a show line-up with such celebrities and professionals.

Ice Party Champions takes place on the Isle of Wight for three nightly performances from 1 to 3 September, before moving to Basingstoke for a further three performances over 4 to 5 September. The IW shows begin at 7pm.

The Jewels have increased their training this season to try to attain targets set by NISA (National Ice Skating Association) to be placed on the UK’s development squad. The girls are off to Budapest in Hungary from 12 to 19 July to take part in the ISU’s annual development camp along with skaters from 15 different nations. It will be an excellent opportunity for our girls to learn from the top coaches in the world.

The synchronized skating teams are always looking for funding and sponsorship and if you can help in any way please contact Sharon Buckman on 07790 359510.