IN ONE of the UK’s biggest synchronised skating events, a group of girls from the Isle of Wight belied the huge disadvantage of no longer having an ice rink in Ryde by winning a title.

The two youngest Isle of Wight Synchronised Skating teams — the Wight Sparkles and the Wight Sequins — competed at the Wales and West Synchronised Skating Academy Competition, held in Cardiff.

The Wight Sparkles, the more experienced of the two teams, were first to step onto the ice to perform a new routine to a Spice Girls medley in the juvenile category.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The Wight Sequins synchronised skating team during their routine at the Wales and West Synchronised Skating Academy Competition in Cardiff.

Looking the part in sparkly red, blue and silver outfits, they shone in front of the judges — winning the class with a superb team performance.

The 12-strong team, with four girls wearing a colour, impressed the judges with not only their choreography, but also the originality of their costumes and artistic flair.

The Wight Sequins did not have to wait long before they were competing in the elementary category, entertaining the judges with their new routine to Randy Newman’s much-loved tune, You’ve Got a Friend in Me, from the film Toy Story, followed by Cotton Eye Joe, by the Rednex.

It turned out to be an amazing first outing for the team considering six are new to ‘synchro’ this season.

Isle of Wight County Press:

The Wight Sequins synchronised skating team after they competeed successfully at the Wales and West Synchronised Skating Academy Competition in Cardiff.

With the team — supported financially by Wight Aid and suppported by Wightlink — now training at Gosport, Isle of Wight Synchronised Skating has managed to keep the Wight Sequins going, with new members from Gosport having joined the fold.

But due to the closure of Ryde Arena in 2016, there is no longer the opportunity for new Island-based skaters to start synchro and are unable to train on a home rink, said coach, Terri Smith.

“All of the Island skaters who have continued to follow their dreams, have done so through sheer determination and can regularly be seen on a Sunday morning on the 4am car ferry,” she explained.

“Ice time in Gosport is limited and teams are only training fortnightly, which isn’t ideal, but at least our Island teams are still competing and achieving great results, including podium places.

“We are now looking forward to competing at the British Championships in Nottingham later this month.

“The Wight Crystals and Wight Jewels will also be in action, therefore all four teams representing the Island will be giving their all against teams from across the country.

“Our skaters have overcome many obstacles to continue to train and improve, with very limited training ice and facilities.

“I am very proud of all of my skaters and the support of their families to enable them to still follow their dreams to skate and compete against the best in the country.”