A fascinating look into the competitive world of figure skating comes to our screens this weekend, on the newly re-launched BBC Three.
Freeze: Skating on the Edge, is an Open University/BBC co-production that follows young athletes from across Britain over the course of a year, as they battle through skate-offs, qualifiers and international competitions to try and win a place on team GB ahead of this month’s Winter Olympics.
The series is in eight parts with the first airing on Saturday 5th February at 9pm on BBC Three.
Academic consultants, Dr Caroline Heaney and Dr Jessica Pinchbeck, both Senior Lecturers in Sport and Fitness at the OU, commented:
“Freeze: Skating on the Edge offers a unique insight into what it takes to be a top-level British ice skater exploring the physical, emotional and financial costs and the highs and lows of being an athlete. It has been fascinating to be involved in this project and offer our academic insights on the issues explored in the programme such as coach-athlete relationships and the role of the family in supporting the athlete”
Peter James Hallam (PJ). ©Blast Films
In the first episode this Saturday, Sheffield ice skater and reigning British champion PJ faces the fight of his life as he competes against the biggest names in global figure skating at the World Championships. In Oxford, a lift goes wrong for new pairs team Harry and Lydia, and upcoming ice-dance talent Billy goes in search of a perfect partner.
In episode two, the squad are left reeling after a shock announcement whilst elite skater Kristen is on a comeback mission after a spinal injury threatens to end her career on the ice.
Episode three sees Britain’s elite skaters go head-to-head in the ultimate skate-off. Reputations are laid on the line and with the Olympic Qualifiers on the horizon, the stakes couldn’t be higher. In the final episode up-and-coming skaters desperate to make the elite performance squad compete at the British Qualifiers.
Eleanor Hayes & Emily
Hayward. ©Blast Films
The programme ties in nicely with the Winter Olympics which start this weekend with the opening ceremony taking place on 4 February in Beijing.
The first four episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer from 5 February, with the final four episodes available soon.
This programme was commissioned by Broadcast and Partnerships and is supported by the Faculty of Wellbeing, Education and Language Studies with particular relevance to Q76 BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching; W07 Diploma of Higher Education in Sport and Fitness; and T05 Cert HE in Sport, Fitness and Management.
- Commissioned by Dr Caroline Ogilvie, Head of Broadcast & Partnerships
- Academic Consultant: Dr Caroline Heaney and Dr Jessica Pinchbeck
- Media Fellow: Simon Rea
- Broadcast Project Manager: David Bloomfield
- Broadcast Platforms and Public Engagement Managers: Andrew Hudson and Chris Belson
