Our skaters have again brought medals back to the Island – this time from the annual inter-club competition between Gosport and the IW. Gosport is where our skaters train since Ryde Arena closed last October and they have become good friends with members if Gosport Club, although now was the time for them to become rivals once again.

First to compete were the synchro teams in the Sue Buckingham Cup. Representing the Island were our three youngest teams, Wight Sequins, Wight Crystals and Wight Sparkles. But it was the Sparkles that shone by taking bronze: Gosport’s teams took the top two medals. The medalling Sparkles team members were: Jess Curtis, Sophia Elliott, Maisy Foreman, Jess Gruber, Eloise Hayward, Courtney Lane, Lily McDevitt, Savannah Randall, Arwen Rowdon, Anneliese Smith, Lydia Soar, Anna Temporin, Ellie Watts, Josie Watts, Jasmine Young and Louisa Young.

Next on the ice were the individual level one and under skaters. Eloise Hayward won gold for the IW with her Maleficent artistic programme. Next were the level two to five skaters, and again the IW took gold with Jess Curtis and her Beauty and the Beast programme; Sophia Elliott won bronze skating to the Wizard of Oz.

Level 6 and above saw another IW gold with Amy World cooking up a storm with Bake A Cake, closely followed by Roxie Collins dancing off with silver to A New-fangled Tango.

Next it was the turn of the IW’s  adults to take to the ice and they showed the young skaters how to keep the medals coming with Melody Samiee getting the gold ticket with her Charlie And The Chocolate Factory programme.

Both young and older groups of two to four skaters took their turn next . In the level one and unders, gold was rightly won by the IW’s excellent interpretation of the cult ice skating film Blades of Glory, closely followed by our Pirates stealing the silver treasure. Level 2 and over saw the IW win another medal with the high-flying Magnificent 4 swooping in to take silver.

With the IW’s amazing run of podium places, it was a fabulous end to the day with the IW club winning the trophy overall.

As always, IW coach Terri Smith was rinkside supporting all the skaters and seeing all their hard work and training pay off. She said: “Passion and dedication won the trophy. Island skaters and parents have just knuckled down and continued their training at unsociable hours and extra costs to allow their children’s dreams to continue and reach their potential. It was lovely to see our adults competing too.

“This competition was a fun, artistic-style competition showing not just skating skills but also skaters’ ability to perform on the ice. Many skaters had to compete in higher classes just to field a team, again showing their amazing team spirit and sportsmanship.

“Everyone who skated for the IW made winning that trophy possible. Other skaters winning important points were Anneliese Smith, Maisy Foreman, Izzy Curtis, Keelin Scholes, Courtney Lane, Alison Wright and Steve Wood – a massive well done. After nine months without a rink you all truly surprise me with your drive and passion for our sport.

“Also a thank you to Gosport Skating Club for hosting the event and accommodating our skaters in events we could enter. Also, a big thank you to Wightlink for their continued support to our teams. They help to make it all possible!”