Five novice ice dancers who have been selected as finalists for a prestigious Yorkshire-wide competition to uncover the next star of the rink have been teamed up with their professional partners.
The group are competing to become champion of Real Radio’s ‘Real Yorkshire Ice Factor’ and will perform in front of a sell out audience at Sheffield’s top skating facility, iceSheffield.
The chosen finalists who made it through a rigorous audition process are Kimberley Towers, 27, from Huddersfield, Nicola Drummond, 24, from Leeds, Dale Williams, 26, from Sheffield, Paul Kitchen, 36, also from Sheffield and Wendy Olivant, 49, from Worksop.
Kimberley will be skating with John Horne, Great British squad member and level two qualified coach, and Paul has been teamed up with Kathy Green, who competed nationally as an ice dancer for many years.
Nicola is paired up with senior international competitor Andrew Smykowski, Dale will be skating with Amanda Hembrow, a level three qualified coach and Wendy is teaming up with show director, David Hartley.
Wendy was unknowingly entered into the competition by her 13 year old daughter, who attends lessons at the Sheffield International Venues (SIV) managed facility. She is now attending training sessions with David four or five times a week.
Wendy (49), from Worksop, said: “The training is going really and I’m really proud of myself for what I have achieved so far. I can even do lifts, spins and jumps and feel like I’m on Dancing on Ice!
“I took up skating at iceSheffield 18 months ago, but I fell on the ice and managed to knock myself out, so vowed never to skate again. But this competition has really improved my confidence and, being quite shy normally, learning all about performance has been brilliant and David has been a fantastic partner. I have also lost a stone and a half since I started skating!
“It would have been my parents golden wedding anniversary on the night of the competition and sadly I have lost them both, so I’ll be thinking of them the whole way through. I am also raising money for various local charities and have so far raised £4,000 which I am really pleased with.”
Each finalist has received one to one and group tuition to perfect their skating technique, a prize worth more than £5,000 each. Finalists also received Fitness Unlimited membership for the duration of their training, a new pair of skates from Puck Stop and a unique skating outfit for the grand final.
The overall winner will receive the iceSheffield Golden Key, giving them unlimited access to any recreational skating session for one year and an additional one year’s free membership to Fitness Unlimited.
David Hartley, iceSheffield’s lesson coordinator and Ice Factor’s show director, said: “I am thrilled to have been partnered with Wendy and she is showing fantastic promise on the ice. Her commitment to the competition is amazing I’m looking forward to seeing it all come together for the final.”
The Real Yorkshire Ice Factor, which as part of iceSheffield’s Thank You for the Music show, is taking place on 19 March. Purchase tickets
