Two of the country’s top figure skaters are training at Sheffield’s world-class sports facilities ahead of the first major international ice event of the new season.
Brother and sister team Sarah and Mikey Coward have selected the city as their base in preparation for the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating, in Courchevel, France, next week.
Sarah, 17, and Mikey, 20, will train at the Olympic sized rinks at iceSheffield and in the gym at the English Institute of Sport – Sheffield (EIS Sheffield), both in Attercliffe.
The ice dance couple, originally from Chelmsford, Essex, are currently based at the Ice Dance Elite figure skating school in Toronto, Canada.
They are part of a squad of skaters selected by the National Ice Skating Association (NISA) to represent Team GB at five Junior Grand Prix events that will take place across the world over the next three months.
Mikey said: “We chose Sheffield as our international stop over because iceSheffield and EIS Sheffield are both exceptional facilities each with superbly qualified staff, all of which will help us to perform at the highest level.
“Our biggest achievement so far has been placing 7th in a world-class field for one of our compulsory dance segments at an international competition held in Poland.
“It is fantastic to have been picked by NISA for Team GB. We have some great skaters in the squad and hopefully we will return successful. Our goals are very much focused on consistently improving our skating, really challenging the world’s best and continuing to have a great time doing what we enjoy.”
The competition will take place in the French Alps at the resort of Courchevel, usually known for its skiing, from Wednesday, August 25 to Saturday August 28.
Justine Foster, head of sport for Sheffield International Venues (SIV), which operates iceSheffield and EIS Sheffield, said: “Sarah and Mikey are extremely talented ice dancers and we hope our facilities can play a key part in their success at the ISU Junior Grand Prix in France.
“We are delighted to welcome them to Sheffield. SIV is uniquely placed to offer elite athletes one of the best clusters of sports facilities in the country and hosting the likes of Sarah and Michael reflects the high standard and quality of our venues.”
The UK leg of ISU Junior Grand Prix series will take place at iceSheffield from 29 September - 3 October.
Tickets are now on sale priced at £10 for adults and £5 for children for competition days. The official practice day, Wednesday, September 29, is free.
For more information visit www.jgp2010.co.uk.
