Solway Sk8ing Club made history at the weekend when all three teams returned as champions from the Britannia Cup competition in Sheffield.
The Solway Comets took to the ice first and skated beautifully, entertaining the crowds from start to finish to their Jungle Book themed music. They scored an impressive 24.74 points, receiving an all-time personal best to retain the Beginners British Championship title for the second year in a row.
Solway Eclipse were next to skate in the Mixed Age category with their technically complex and crowd-pleasing programme to Belleville Rendezvous mix. They ended their competitive season with not only a personal best of 62.91 points which crowned them as the Mixed Age British Champions but they also received the highest score a British Mixed Age team has ever achieved in competition.
Finally, Solway Stars took to the ice to skate their first of two programmes over the weekend within the extremely competitive Junior ISU category. Their short programme routine to the sassy Peter Gunn music is always incredibly fun to watch. After a stellar skate from the team, they ended day one in first place with a score of 37.31 and smashed their season’s personal best in the process.
Day two marked the final of competition which saw the Stars skate their free programme to Beetlejuice. After an incredible skate and a nervous wait for final scores they ended their competition with a new overall personal best of 73.08 and a total score over the two days of 110.39.
Solway Stars not only won their category but became the first Scottish team to become ISU Junior British Champions.
Head coach Philip Carter said: “I’ve coached here since November 1999 and I’ve never seen so many within the local skating as delighted at an event as they were over the weekend, it was great to behold.”
Solway Sk8ing Club chairperson Lindsay Henderson said: “After 16 months off the ice due to Covid and a rollercoaster season we are extremely proud of our skaters and coaches ending the year with such wonderful achievements.
“An inspiration to others from a small town in Scotland – well done to you all.”
The club would like to thank coaches Philip Carter, Molly Coxon and Julie Tyson for their hard work throughout the season and to the many sponsors for their contributions.
