Get your skates on and head to Blackburn Ice Arena!

Coming back to Blackburn for a second year is the International Solo Ice Dance Competitions, and they’re worth a watch.

Last year, Planet Ice’s Blackburn Ice Arena hosted the Blackburn Trophy for the International Ice Solo Ice Dance Competitions for the first time.

Back again this year from Tuesday 07 to Thursday 09 October, you can expect dazzling displays from competitors from across the globe.

In attendance will be skaters and officials from 14 different countries, including Australia and the USA.

75 competitors will be battling it out in both Junior and Senior sections, with the Junior section especially set to be incredibly competitive, with 23 girls from 11 countries competing.

The competitors who train at Blackburn Ice Arena are trained by head coaches, Alexei and Natalia. Both are award-winning international ice dancers who made Lancashire their home some 30 years ago. They are also the parents of Anna-Maria and Amelia who train regularly in Blackburn.

Last year, Amelia was crowned British Solo Ice Dance Champion 2024 in the intermediate novice category. While Anna-Maria took home a silver medal in the Juniors (U21) section. Both will be competing over the coming days.

The competition is supported by Blackburn with Darwen borough council.

Councillor Phil Riley, Leader of the Council said:

We’re very proud to host this prestigious event in the borough. Some of the world’s best ice skaters will descend on Blackburn and will be sure to have a warm welcome.

We also have incredible talent who live and train on our doorstep who will be competing in the event, trained by the formidable Alexei and Natalia, who really are the best in the business.

I wish them all luck and thank them for putting Blackburn on the map.

Competitions start on Tuesday morning at 8.45am and finish on Thursday at 3.10pm. Following that are the presentations and gala where all the winners from the past couple of days will parade.

The highlight is expected to be the rhythm dance competition, which will have a 90’s theme this year.

For more information and to book tickets, you can visit Planet Ice’s website.