AN Isle of Wight figure skater has been rewarded for her hard work the past four years by winning a trio of medals at the World Synchronised Skating Championships held in Stockholm.

Gemma Marsh, of Freshwater, won three silver medals skating for Sweden’s Team Surprise at the prestigious event — up against some the cream of figure skating from around the world.

In winning silver, Gemma skated in both the short programme to music that included ABBA’s The Winner Takes It All, and in the free programme.

The team scored 72.83 in the short and 135.16 in the free, to amass 207.99 points and earn second place overall.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Top Isle of Wight ice skater, Gemma Marsh, from Freshwater.  Photo: Navaz Sumar

Fellow Isle of Wight skater, Steve Wood, won the masters men’s title at the British Inclusive Championships, held recently in Glasgow — winning the level 4 compulsory elements and the level 4 free skate.

Steve is among a band of IW skating talent who travel to Gosport to train following the closure of Ryde Arena.

For Gemma, 24, the world championship experience was incredible.

She said: “The last week has been the most intense, special and magical of my life.

“I am bursting with pride at what we have achieved.

“The memories made last week are ones I will treasure forever.

“It all still feels like the most surreal dream right now. I have three very beautiful silver medals to keep reminding myself that we really did it!

“Hard work really does pay off.”

With International Skating Union (ISU) rules allowing up to four non-nationals to skate for a team, it allowed Gemma to compete for the Swedish-based team.

Gemma, who grew up training at Ryde Arena, switched to synchronised skating in 2004 when IW-based coach Terri Smith set up the Wight Diamonds to compete in the UK’s National Team Challenge.

The Diamonds, which became the Wight Jewels, became four-time British junior champions and represented GB in the Junior World Challenge Cup.