Deeside IJS competitions (the Welsh championships) get under way today, 3 October, and run until 7 October at Deeside Leisure Centre, Queensferry.

IW skater Nikita Heathfield competes today in the novice ladies; Maggie Read competes in the junior ladies on Wednesday.

IW synchronized skating teams, the Wight Jewels and the Wight Crystals, also compete on Wednesday, at junior and novice levels respectively. After the annual loss of team skaters through age or through educational pressures, it’s the first chance this season to see how the new team line-ups shape up.

NISA link: http://www.iceskating.org.uk/node/4517

Deeside Ice Skating Club: http://www.skate-disc.co.uk/