BASINGSTOKE Ice Skating Club members triumphed at the 15th National Team Challenge inter-rink competition, beating six other clubs, at Bracknell recently.

The National Team Challenge was set up in 1995 and for Basingstoke it was their third victory, having previously been crowned champions in 1999 and 2004.

The teams have to compete in eight out of 14 classes in freestyle, ice dance, synchronised skating and artistic, plus the highlight of the day – the show number class.

At the midway point of the competition Basingstoke had collected three golds in the ladies’ events at different levels.

Caitlin Cole won level three and under, Danielle Harrison level five and under and Rachel Powell level seven and under.

Along with that John Rees picked up a silver medal in the men’s level seven and under and this left Basingstoke and Bracknell tied in first place.

These early successes were followed by a further gold medal from Hannah Rahman and Talullah Corbett in the 2’s – 4’s exhibition.

Jessica Colenutt added a silver medal in the solo exhibition level eight and under.

Ice dancers Sue Ellen Giles and Keith Downer were third in the adult couple compulsory dance, while Amy Sanders took bronze in the solo free dance as the victorious skaters were on the podium in every class they entered.

The win was completed by a dazzling performance by the Basingstoke team which won them the coveted gold medal in the show number event to secure the overall highest points score of the day and the 2009 National Team Challenge trophy.

The Basingstoke show number team was skated by Cydney Barret, Joseph Beesley, Lucy Booth, Victoria Caine, Caitlin Cole, Annabel Colenutt, Jessica Colenutt, Abby Cook, Tallulah Corbett, Rae Crawford, Anna Duggan, Danielle Harrison, Curtis Hawthorn, Amber Howard, Christie Hughes, Megan Johnson, Arron Lincoln, Caitlin Marsh, Charlie Parrington-Tyler, Molly Piper-Harris, Rachael Powell, Hannah Rahman, John Rees, Gemma Sanders, Hayley Walker, Lucy-Anne Walker, Keith Downer, Stewart Wright and Robin Marsh, The winning number was choreographed by Anita Curtis and will be performed again in the Basingstoke Open Competition on Sunday, July 12.

This event will run from Sunday until Wednesday, July 15 at the Basingstoke Arena.

Skaters can join the BISC (basingstokeiceskatingclub.co.uk) when they pass their gold level on the Skate UK courses.

Five-day skating courses will run during the summer holidays and the next six-week Skate UK courses will start in September.

Overall team scores: Basingstoke 57, Bracknell 54, Lee Valley 45, Alexandra Palace 44, Chelmsford 43, Guildford 41 and Romford 23.