A team of talented Isle of Wight skaters lit up Portsmouth when they officially opened the city’s new pop-up festive ice rink on Tuesday.
20 members of the Island’s Ice Dance and Figure Skating Club put on a show to remember in front of 100 VIPs – including the Lord Mayor of Portsmouth – with both solo dancing and team dancing displays.
Wightlink, which sponsors the group year-round, arranged for the Island skaters to provide the official opening of Ice Skate Portsmouth which is in the heart of the city in Guildhall Square until 2nd January 2018.
Terri Smith, club head coach said:
“It went really well – the audience really enjoyed it and so did our skaters.
“We are really grateful to Wightlink for making this performance possible and for its ongoing support by offering discounted travel.
“Since Ryde Arena closed, we have had to go to the mainland to train. That has meant some of our skaters having to travel to Gosport on Wightlink’s 4am car ferry in order to make their classes which is a tremendous commitment.
“We have lost a few members since the closure of Ryde ice rink but were it not for the support of Wightlink I am sure we would have lost a few more.”
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Wightlink Marketing and Innovations Director, Stuart James, says:
“The Island has so many talented people and we were delighted to work with the club and Ice Skate Portsmouth to allow the skaters to showcase their talent at the opening event. They did themselves and the Island proud.”
