World at their icy feet
Canterbury Bankstown Express
1st March 2005

ACCOMPLISHED junior ice dance couple Gregory Merriman and Danielle O'Brien are now in Canada ready for the Junior World Ice Skating Championships.

Both are talented members of the Sydney Figure Skating Club at Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink.

The event starts today, Tuesday, March 1in Kitchener, Canada, against the elite level junior competitors.

Gregory, 16, a Year 11 student at Canterbury Boys High School and Danielle, 15, have been ice dancing together for the past seven years. They are coached by Monica MacDonald.

MacDonald, a former Winter Olympian represented Australia as an ice dancer in 1988.

The ice dancing duo train between four and six times weekly at the Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink, honing their skill and timing to be ready for elite competition.

President of the Sydney Figure Skating Club at Canterbury Olympic Ice Rink, Yvonne Hartsaid Gregory and Danielle are wished the very best at the titles.

"Gregory and Danielle have been active members of the skating community at Canterbury Ice Rink with numerous exhibitions including the Sydney Figure Skating Night of Champions last December," Ms Hart said.

"We wish them all the best in Canada and we know Gregory and Danielle will give their best at the event."

Last year the duo won the national ice skating titles and the HollinsTrophy in June, 2004, with Gregory competing with his wrist encased in plaster.

Many other Canterbury skaters have produced outstanding results at international competition at the recent Four Continents titles in Korea.

Bradley Santer, 23, finished 13th, to qualify for the Senior World Championships to be held in Moscow, Russia later this year.

Sean Carlow was 15th and Stuart Beckingham 17th out of 23 skaters.

In the women's category, Jo Carter finished fourth, Miriam Monzano (ninth) and Sarah-Yvonne Prytula was 21st

. Ice dancers Trent Nelson-Bond and Natalie Buck placed 14th with Danika Bourne and Alexandre Pavlovwere 17th in the dance couples category.

"We are very proud of all our skaters' achievements," Ms Hart said.

"Their efforts are reflected in their improved world rankings. "While overseas, our club members provided great support and sent their best wishes via emails during competitions."