Skate ace Eleanor gets GB call-up

She'll represent Team GB at the International Skating Union (ISU) Junior Grand Prix in Slovenia this month with ice dance partner Jake Fearnley.

Starting on August 27, the five-day event at the Hala Tivoli ice rink in the Slovenian capital of Ljubljana brings together the best young skaters from across the world to compete in ladies', men's and ice dance categories.

Eleanor (15), who attends Swinton Community School, and Jake (17), from Bradford, were promoted to the National Ice Skating Association's performance squad in December 2013.

They both started Skate UK lessons in 2008 and were crowned British Novice Dance champions in 2012. They train six days a week  at iceSheffield.

Eleanor said: “We're very proud to have been chosen to represent our country. We have been working hard to keep improving and we are always striving to achieve the best that we possibly can.”

Hilary Selby, performance director for NISA, said: “Jake and Eleanor are a young ice dance couple with a lot of potential. They have impressed since being promoted to the performance squad last year and fully deserve their place.”

Mandy Parker, general manager at iceSheffield, added: “It's fantastic to see Eleanor and Jake progress from Skate UK lessons just six years ago to now representing their country at a major international event.”

For more information about learning to skate, visit www.iceskating.org.uk