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Ice skating 'stars' glide to victory in competition

Eleanor Lawson
BBC News, West Midlands
Kali Communications A boy with brown curly hair is skating on an ice rink, holding his back leg in the air and touching the blade of his skate. He wears the iconic brown and yellow Ghostbusters costume with a bred fire engine plushie around his neck.Kali Communications
Harry, who won a gold medal at the competition, dressed as a Ghostbuster

Minions, Ghostbusters and Elphaba from Wicked were among the "stars" taking part in an ice skating competition.

There were 40 skaters of all ages and abilities who took to the ice dressed as their favourite characters and performed to well-known soundtracks at CineBowl in Uttoxeter, in Staffordshire.

The event was part of a nationwide artistic ice skating competition being held across Planet Ice arenas. The winners from each of the 11 categories will go on to compete in the final in Milton Keynes later this month.

Adult competitor Jasmyn Kaur, who won gold in the duo category dressed as an air hostess, said: "I thought it would be such a fun number to do," she said.

The duo performed to the 2007 Eurovision song Flying the Flag (For You) by Scooch.

"The audience was cheering for us; it was brilliant, and we're really excited to perform the routine again in Milton Keynes," she said.

Ms Kaur, who restarted skating 18 months ago, added: "I was inspired to learn figure skating after seeing Johnny Weir's appearance on Dancing on Ice.

"He's always been my favourite figure skater, and although I'd always been able to skate, I decided to take the leap into learning properly after seeing him perform. I'm so glad I did."

Kali Communications Two women dressed in blue air hostess uniforms and ice skates stand on an ice rink while performing. There are two black suitcases next to them on the rink.Kali Communications
Jasmyn Kaur and her partner won gold in the duo category

Head judge, actress and comedienne, Karina Essery, said: "Everyone was of an incredible standard, and every skater brought their very best.

"It was very hard to choose winners because all the ideas were so creative, and all the skaters should be so proud of themselves.

"What makes Uttoxeter ice rink special is the support everyone shows for each other; it's fantastic to see and be a part of. It's an ice rink with a big heart."

Kali Communications A large group of ice skaters in different costumes stand on an ice risk and smile at the cameraKali Communications
The competition involved figure skating while embracing a love of costumes

General manager of the ice rink, Liz Howe, said: "Everyone was fantastic and it's what skating here is all about - having fun, building friendships and enjoying new experiences.

"It means a lot to us to watch our skaters' confidence grow - children and adults - and that's also thanks to our brilliant team of coaches.

"We know the finalists who will be representing the rink at Milton Keynes will make Team Uttoxeter proud."

Kali Communications Six ice skaters stand on a podium. On the left, in the second place position is a child dressed in yellow as a Minion and an older child to her right wears a Gru costume, from the film Despicable Me. In the middle, in the first place position, are two women in air hostess uniforms. On the right, in the third place position, are a woman and child dressed as Elphaba and Glinda from Wicked.Kali Communications
Despicable Me, Wicked and Eurovision entry Scooch were the inspiration for these skaters

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