Ice queens heading for America

10:26am Monday 14th July 2008

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The Calthorpe sisters from Cottingley are cutting a dash on the ice – so much so that they are heading for America.

Bingley Grammar School pupils Rebecca and Danielle both won medals at the British Solo Ice Dance Championships in Sheffield.

Rebecca, 18, gained a silver in the senior ladies, while 15-year-old Danielle took a bronze in the junior ladies.

The improvement in the Bradford Ice Skating Club members under their coach Sarah George can be seen because Rebecca, who is going to Newcastle University in the autumn to study medicine, was only eighth in the same event last year.

Danielle, who has passed Level Eight at both free skating and ice dancing in the National Ice Skating Association (NISA) tests, was ninth in her event for 14 and 15-year-olds.

Rebecca, who has just taken her A-levels in chemistry, biology and geography, also coaches at Bradford Ice Rink.

After several months out injured, she has now achieved the highest level possible in the NISA tests – Level Ten.

Now both girls are heading for the former Olympic venue of Lake Placid for the United States Solo Ice Dance Championships next month.