Dumfries Welcomes Return Of International Ice Skating Competition.
Dumfries Ice Bowl will host the UK’s biggest international synchronized skating competition this month with the Trophy D’Ecosse 2014.
Trophy D’Ecosse, the ISU & Club International Synchronized Skating Competition, returns to Dumfries next month for its fourth year. Skating teams from home and abroad will take to the ice during the three days of competition from 14-16 March 2014.
It is one of the biggest events in the synchronized skating calendar and with international skating teams competing at a range of levels, it is the only competition of its kind in the UK. It is also the UK’s only International Skating Union (ISU) event to be held regularly.
Last year’s competition welcomed around 2,000 attendees as participants and spectators and event organisers anticipate another fantastic turnout this year encouraged by the Winter Olympics and the current popularity of ice skating on television.
Barbara Haining, Chair of Solway Skating, said: “The sport can be enjoyed by everyone and it’s fantastic to see its popularity continue to rise.”
“The level of local support we receive is a great reward for the commitment and passion our teams display. Some of our skaters have been on the ice since the age of two or three and they can train up to six days a week.”
“All of our local teams are performing incredibly well so it will be exciting to see what they can achieve at this year’s competition.”
Indeed, all three of the region’s competitor teams- Solway Stars, Solway Eclipse and Solway Lightning are currently the reigning Scottish champions. Trophy D’Ecosse 2013 saw the local teams excel with gold and silver medal success.
In its past years the event has been a huge success for the region, as well as for the skaters, attracting competitors and visitors from across the UK, Europe, Canada, Africa and Australia and bringing in more than half a million pounds for the local economy.
Trophy D’Ecosse offers visitors a warm welcome and a weekend of extraordinary entertainment, talent, speed, skill and agility on the ice. The event is free to attend and is suitable for families and spectators of all ages.
Trophy D’Ecosse 2014 will kick off in Dumfries with the official draw on Thursday 13 March at 5:30pm at DGOne. This will be preceeded by a procession from the town centre to DGOne by some of the competing teams. The competition begins on Friday 14th March with an opening ceremony at Dumfries Ice Bowl and will close with an award ceremony on the evening of Sunday 16th March.
