PICTURES: N-ice one! Aviemore rink hosts its first ever figure skating competition
It has been a long time coming but Aviemore has finally hosted its first figure skating contest in more than two decades.
There were 33 entrants for the competition at the village’s community ice rink on Sunday with categories open to all levels of skater.
Coach Amanda Clinton said: “We hosted skaters from Caledonia Skating Club in Elgin, Inverness Skating Club and Highland Synchronized Skating Teams from Inverness and Aviemore Ice Rink Skaters.
“For many of the skaters this was their first ever competition and was enjoyed by all. The rink is now a recognised Skate UK centre with British Ice Skating and is working hard to develop ice sports to one day fulfil the dream of creating a bigger ice rink in Aviemore.
“The village is of course well remembered around the UK for hosting amazing competitions in the original rink at the Aviemore Centre and this is hopefully our first step in the journey to hosting large scale events in the future.”
The rink was opened and is run by Aviemore and Glenmore Community Trust.
Trust co-ordinator Kirsty Bruce said: "It's fantastic to see the rink host its first figure skating competition in over twenty years.
“This event celebrates not only the talent of the skaters but also the incredible effort behind the rink's opening and ongoing success.
“It’s truly a testament to our community’s spirit.”
Since opening in October 2021, the rink has quickly become a key visitor attraction, providing all-weather activities. It has also developed a vibrant and growing community ice sports scene – which AGCT described as ‘a great example of sustainable tourism’.
Mrs Bruce said: “The trust remains committed to securing a permanent location for a larger rink which would pave the way for Aviemore to once again host national and international ice events.
“This competition is a fantastic example of the rink's potential, and we are looking forward to a bright future for ice sports in Aviemore."
Figure skating results:
Group 1 Cameron Cup - winner: Bonnie Tassell - Dawson (Aviemore), r/up: Fox Fraser (Elgin).
Group 2 Ellis Bexter Trophy - winner: Josie Orr (Aviemore); r/up: Ellie Murray (Aviemore); 3rd: Freya McBean (Aviemore).
Group 3 Clinton Cup - winner: Connie Franks (Inverness); r/up: Lois Grey (Inverness); 3rd: Mia Munro (Aviemore); 4th: Maja Ponska (Aviemore).
Group 4 The Rennie Trophy winner: Lottie Richardson (Elgin); r/up: Aimee Macleod (Aviemore); 3rd: Eden Webber (Inverness).
Group 5 Caledonia Trophy winner: Ailie Stewart (Elgin); r/up: Poppy Hadden (Inverness); 3rd: Emilia Littler (Elgin); 4th: Brook Gardner (Elgin). Group 6 Highlander Trophy winner: Katie Scotson (Elgin); r/up: Isabel Brown (Elgin); 3rd: Claire Sutherland (Elgin).
Group 7 Gaidheil Trophy winner: Ellie Macleod (Aviemore); r/up: Chloe Watson (Inverness); 3rd: Hanna Drozd (Aviemore).
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Group 8 Allan Munro Construction Trophy winner: Genevieve Cassidy (Aviemore); r/up: Helen Ford (Elgin); 3rd: KT Moran.
Group 9 Aviemore Ice Rink Cup winner: Emilia Littler (Elgin); r/up: Maddison Heffernan (Elgin); 3rd: Ailie Stewart (Elgin).
Group 10 The Rennie Mackintosh Trophy winner: Genevieve Cassidy (Aviemore); r/up: Hanna Drozd (Aviemore); 3rd: Helen Ford (Elgin).
Group 11 Trophy McTrophyface winners: Aimiee & Ellie Macleod (Aviemore); r/up: Mia Munro and Josie Orr (Aviemore); 3rd: Genevieve Cassidy & Helen Ford (Aviemore & Elgin); 3rd: Ellie Murray & Maja Ponska (Aviemore).
