Ice dancers hail 'amazing' Winter Olympics debut

A pair of Team GB figure skaters say they have enjoyed experiencing their first Winter Olympics as they look ahead and aim for ice dancing glory.

Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez, who trained at the Guildford Spectrum leisure centre in Surrey, placed 17th on their Olympic debut in Milan-Cortina on Wednesday.

The pair, 20 and 24, paid tribute those who made sacrifices throughout their careers to get them to where they are now.

"It has honestly been amazing. Just getting to experience the Olympics here together has been great," Bekker said.

She added: "I grew up at Guildford Spectrum having a blast. Looking through photos of me skating, it's amazing how I have come from that little girl running around public sessions to going to the Olympics."

Meanwhile, Hernandez said: "Guildford is very popular and I have a distinct memory of waiting outside the Spectrum at 04:58 GMT in the morning.

"To any parents, what we do goes out to you. Without those sacrifices we wouldn't be here."

In their first Olympics, Bekker and Hernandez's dances included performances to George Michael's Freedom and a Romeo and Juliet-inspired routine.

The pair now train near Philadelphia, in the US, having both started their careers in Guildford.

Ruth Woodstock, ice co-ordinator at Guildford Spectrum, said skating training could involve years of work including on-ice work, dancing, ballet and pilates.

She told BBC Radio Surrey: "Phebe is a beautiful skater. She has great personality, great skating skills and a natural ability.

"She started on a public session and was spotted by our coaching team, but we had to pass her on to the training facilities out in the states."

Bekker and Hernandez are aiming to take part in the World Figure Skating Championships, taking place in Prague from 24 to 29 March.

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