Sheffield ice dance couple Christina Chitwood and Mark Hanretty have been included in the GB squad for the 100th ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2010.
The duo are part of the National Ice Skating Association’s (NISA) eight-strong squad set to compete at the prestigious event, which takes place at the Palavela rink in Torino, Italy, from March 22 to March 28 2010.
Christina and Mark, who train at iceSheffield, will be joined in the Dance category by Edinburgh siblings Sinead and John Kerr.
It will be Christina and Mark’s first World Championship and will enable another GB couple to achieve their maximum world standing points.
Peter Morrissey, ice development manager at iceSheffield, which is operated by Sheffield International Venues (SIV), said: “We are so pleased for Chrissy and Mark and they thoroughly deserve the opportunity to compete at the World Championship. I am sure they will do Sheffield proud!”
Nottingham dance couple Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland, who have enjoyed an extremely successful season achieving their maximum world standing points, are in the squad as reserves.
Coleraine-born Jenna McCorkell, who skates in Coventry, will be hoping to put the disappointment of Vancouver behind her as she competes in the Ladies category at the World Championship.
Dundee skater Matt Parr, originally from Newcastle, has been picked for the Men category. He is the current British Men’s Champion and was also in the GB squad for the European Figure Skating Championship held in Estonia in January.
Keith Horton, chief executive of NISA, the national governing body responsible for the development of the sport throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland, said: “After the Olympics, the World Figure Skating Championships is one of the most important competitions in figure skating.
“Vancouver was a great experience for our skaters and we hope they can build on this with some impressive performances in Torino.
“The decision to include Christina and Mark was taken in full consultation with Nick and Penny and with the support of the couple and their trainers. It enables a further GB couple to achieve their maximum world standing points.
“Penny and Nick have had a great season so far culminating in a wonderful performance at the recent Olympic Games where they received a tremendous response from the ISU officials and judges.
“We wish all the skaters the very best of luck for the Championship.”
The event is set to attract more than 200 athletes, 30,000 spectators and 350 international journalists with the action broadcast in five continents by the major international TV networks.
