Wintesports : Ice King Peter’s Path From Novice Skater To British Champion

Peter Hallam was just seven years old when he first took to the rink at iceSheffield as a novice skater.

Now, just five years later the Sheffield youngster is celebrating after being crowned British Champion at the 2009 British Figure Skating Championships.

Twelve year old Peter, who lives in Brightside, started skating when iceSheffield first opened in Attercliffe in 2003.

The All Saints School pupil has glided through the venue’s Learn to Skate programme and now trains four hours a day five days a week under the guidance of coach Dawn Peckett.

As a member of iceSheffield’s Academy of Excellence Peter regularly competes against the country top skaters in national competitions and has won a host of titles including the Best Boy Beginner title at the Deeside Open event in North Wales, the Cottingham Cup at the Hull Open, the Hallam trophy at a competition in Nottingham and first place in his competitive level at Bradford’s Open Competition.

Peter also skated away with a nomination for a SuperKids award for his dedication, passion and talent in the sport and has starred in iceSheffield’s Christmas at the Movies and Broadway on Ice shows.
Peter said: “I have achieved a major goal in winning the British Championships. I love ice skating and want to go on to bigger and better things like skating internationally for Great Britain. Everyone at iceSheffield and at All Saints School have been really supportive.”

Coach Dawn Peckett said: “Peter is an outstanding young skater and has proved what can be achieved in such a short time with skill and determination. His incredible journey demonstrates how the skating lessons and academy system we have in place are successfully encouraging more people into the sport and producing great talent.”
iceSheffield was one of the top performing academies at the 2009 British Championships, held in Nottingham (January 12 – 17).

Genevieve Deutch and Evan Roberts were also crowned British Champions with a first place finish in the Junior Dance category.

Katie Powell came second in the Junior Ladies event and has been selected to represent Great Britain at the Youth Olympics in Poland in February 2009.

Katie’s sister Bethany was 10th in the Novice Ladies, with Racheal Barley and Sophie Kent eighth and 13th respectively in the same category.
There was a third place finish for Senior Ladies competitor Karla Quinn while Lawrence Evans came fourth in the Junior Men event and Brendan Dorrian ninth in the Senior Men.

Senior Ice Dance couple Christina Chitwood and Mark Hanretty secured a fourth place finish ahead of their European Championships appearance in Helsinki, Finland (January 20 – 24 2009).

Peter Morrissey, ice development manager at iceSheffield, which is managed by Sheffield International Venues (SIV), said: “It has been a fantastic few weeks for our Academy skaters and a great start to 2009.

For Peter to win the British title having only been skating for five years is an incredible achievement and it was great to have such a strong and successful city representation at the British Championships.
“Good luck to Christina and Mark who are competing this week in the European figure Skating Championships in Helsinki.”