Ice show special is coming to the town

Nov 12 2008 by Lynda Nicol, East Kilbride News

FOLLOWING weeks of intense training two novice skaters are preparing to step on to the ice and strut their stuff with some of the world’s top skaters in a spectacular free ice show at East Kilbride Shopping Centre.

EK’s deputy centre director Michelle McCabe and Clyde 1 DJ Gina McKie, have overcome a series of slips, trips and injuries to perfect their routines and now aim to raise as much money as possible for Cash for Kids during their performance in the first show this Sunday, November, 16.

The pair will have to be at the top of their game as they will be sharing the stage with such skating luminaries as five times Polish champion, Anna Rechnio and Russian champion Natalia Pestova - who featured on Dancing on Ice – in EK’s internationally acclaimed ice show spectacular.

Only a few weeks ago Michelle thought she was down and out when she damaged her back during a particularly tricky spin, but the skater fought through the pain barrier to get back on the ice and perfect her impressive Three Turns and Mohawks.

Explained Michelle: “When we started training during the summer I wasn’t sure we could pull it off. I hadn’t skated since I was a child and I was very unsteady on the ice. Although there have been a few worrying moments the training has gone really well and I am confident Gina and I are now ready.”

Clyde 1’s Gina added: “It has been great fun and our coach Annette has been first class, which is just as well bearing in mind we are taking to the ice with some of the best skaters in the world. It’s been tough at times but Michelle and I are determined to put in a good performance and raise as much money as possible.”

Commenting on the show, Andy Bradley, shopping centre director, said: “The EK Ice Show is a truly spectacular event and I have no doubt visitors will be wowed by the breathtaking lifts and spins performed by the internationally acclaimed cast of skaters.”

EK’s free admission ice shows, which take place at noon, 1.30pm and 3pm on Sunday are a firm fixture in Scotland’s Christmas calendar, with thousands of visitors descending on the centre to see a selection of international skating stars perform a series of dazzling themed routines.

Anyone looking to cheer on Michelle and Gina should note the pair will only be performing in the first show of the day at noon.

Anyone looking to sponsor Michelle or Gina can do so by logging on to www.shopEK.co.uk or www.clyde1.com\cashforkids and clicking on the ‘Just Giving’ link.