iceSheffield skater Olivia Smart has secured her first international title at a competition in Poland.
Junior Ice Dance Champion Olivia, 14, and her skate partner, Joe Buckland, 19, placed first at the Mentor Nestle Nesquik Cup 2012 in Toru?.
They finished in top spot in the Short Dance and maintained their lead in the Free Dance to capture gold.
Olivia, from Treeton, in Rotherham, trains at iceSheffield and, in August 2010, teamed up with Nottingham-based Joe, who is the brother of senior British ice dance champion Nick Buckland.
At the same event in Poland, Nick, and his skate partner Penny Coomes, also took the senior Ice Dance title.
Olivia said: “It was fantastic to get our first international title at the same event where Joe’s brother, Nick, and Penny also won gold. The Polish crowd were really supportive, cheering us on. It has been a great season so far and we hope we can carry our success on into 2012.”
The latest medal success follows a gold medal winning performance at the Welsh Championship, in October 2011, and a first place podium finish at the British Junior Ice Dance Championship, at iceSheffield, in November last year.
Mandy Parker, general manager of iceSheffield, said: “Olivia and Joe did a wonderful job at flying the flag for iceSheffield. Considering they are a new couple and Olivia was the youngest ice dance competitor, it is an excellent result and the win will give them valuable international experience.”
Penny Coomes and Nick Buckland are now in training for the European Championships, at the Motorpoint Arena, in Sheffield, which start on January 23.
iceSheffield’s British Men’s Champion Jason Thompson has also been selected to represent Great Britain at the competition, which is one of the biggest ice skating events in the world.
As a national Centre for excellence, iceSheffield, operated by Sheffield International Venues (SIV), will be used as a practice base for the 200 elite skaters.
Olivia added: “Joe and I are now looking forward to watching Penny and Nick perform at the European Championships in Sheffield. It is great to have such a major ice skating event in our home city.”
The European Championships take place at the Motorpoint Arena, Sheffield from 23 - 29 January. The event is supported the Sheffield City Council’s Major Sports Events Unit. For more information and for ticket sales visit www.europeans2012.co.uk.
