Darci skates her way to success as British Ice Dance Champion

Held at the renowned Ice Sheffield arena, the prestigious competition brought together the country’s top young skaters, with just eight qualifying for the Advanced Novice category. Competing against athletes aged 18 and under, Year 11 pupil Darci distinguished herself as one of the youngest participants in the category, demonstrating remarkable composure, technical ability and maturity beyond her years.

The championships opened with the pattern dances, during which Darci delivered two accomplished routines – first skating a Waltz to Olivia Rodrigo’s ‘Happier’, followed by a lively Quickstep to ‘We Go Together’ from Grease. Her precision, control and musical interpretation placed her in second position at the conclusion of this stage, maintaining close contention with the event leader.

The final part of the competition was the free dance – Darci’s favoured discipline. Skating to the iconic ‘I’ve Had the Time of My Life’ from Dirty Dancing, she delivered a performance that was both technically accomplished and emotionally captivating. Effortlessly integrating spins, twizzles and a striking final pose, her performance left a lasting impression on judges and spectators alike.

As the final scores were announced, a palpable sense of anticipation filled the arena. Darci had not only closed the 3.5-point gap between herself and the leader, but she had edged ahead, gaining additional points to secure victory. In a moment that will long be remembered by Darci and her family, she was crowned the Advanced Novice British Champion – an achievement made all the more meaningful by the legacy she upheld as she followed in the footsteps of her grandfather, who had also secured a British Championship title at the age of 16.

Darci’s victory at the British Solo Ice Dance Championships is the result of years of dedication to a rigorous and demanding training programme, involving three days a week in Blackburn and a further two days in Blackpool, which she successfully balances alongside her academic studies at Highfield Leadership Academy. Her progress on the ice is further strengthened by her coach – Olympian, four-time British Ice Dance Champion and former World Professional Champion, Paul Askham – who returned home to the UK after twenty years of coaching in the USA.

Darci’s commitment to continual improvement and her disciplined approach to training make her an excellent role model and an inspirational young sportsperson, demonstrating how passion, talent and consistency can combine to lead to exceptional outcomes.