IW synchronized skating team Wight Jewels will be off to Rouen, France, in February to compete for the first time in the French Cup. The 2011 competition takes place from 3 to 5 February at the Olympic ice rink in the Guy Boissière sports cente, Rouen.

Competing at junior level, the Jewels face formidable opponents from the top ranks of international synchronized skating, including teams from the USA, Canada, Sweden and Finland. Finland, one of the world’s strongest performers in synchronized skating, will have no less than three junior teams at the event. Of the 12 teams competing at junior level, seven finished above Wight Jewels at the Junior World Challenge Cup in Gothenburg in March 2010.

The French Cup is an excellent opportunity for the Jewels to gain more skating experience at an international event, in preparation for competitions later in the season. It’s also a great honour for the team to be allowed to represent Great Britain again at international level.

Update: Netherlands team Duke Town Twinkle Stars has entered, taking the total number of teams at junior level to 13.

Official site: www.frenchcup.fr