IW ice skaters came away from the 2014 Isle of Wight Sports Achievement Awards at Medina Theatre with a trophy for synchronized skating team Wight Jewels, and a second and third place for two individual skaters.

Wight Jewels came top in the category for intermediate team, sponsored by Liz Earle. It’s the first time ice skaters have won a category since Terri Smith was named coach of the year for 2007.

Archie Bicknell and Gemma Marsh found themselves up against each other in the category for national/international sports, sponsored by West Bay Club. Archie, currently on tour with Disney on Ice, placed third, and Gemma, currently skating with Team Surprise of Sweden, was runner-up. The category was won by telemark skier James French, completing the domination of the category by winter sports.

It was a remarkable evening for IW skaters. None of their achievements would have been possible without the dedication and passion of their coaches, nor of the skaters themselves and, for Gemma and the Jewels, of all the members of the synchronized skating teams.

Above all, none of it would have been possible without an ice rink at Ryde. iowskaters hopes that Ryde Arena Trust can save it.