Christie to skate for the prince (From Basingstoke Gazette)

Christie to skate for the prince

8:00am Wednesday 25th January 2012 in General

CRANBOURNE Business and Enterprise College student Christie Hughes has skated her way to the European Figure Skating Championships.

The 13-year-old Year 9 pupil has been chosen to skate in the prestigious opening and closing ceremonies of the competition, which is being held at the Motorpoint Arena in Sheffield.

Hughes, a member of Basingstoke Ice Skating Club, said: “I am really excited. It is a real honour to be chosen.”

This is the first time in over 20 years that the championship has been held in Britain. It is the third largest competition involving figure skaters, behind the World Championships and the Winter Olympics.

Nearly 200 skaters from 40 countries, including many Olympians, will take part in the prestigious championship in Sheffield.

In the line-up of world-class skaters will be 2006 Olympic champion and three-time World champion, Evgeni Plushenko.

The opening ceremony is today, when guest of honour Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex, will watch the teenage Basingstoke skater in action.