Ice skating star to open Jersey’s Christmas rink

Wednesday 06 December 2017

Skates at the ready! A gold medal-winning ice skating champion is to officially open the island’s Christmas rink tomorrow.

Charlotte Clements Bisson, a former national champion who recently moved to the island with her family, will slice the ribbon of the island’s coolest new attraction in a ceremony at Fort Regent at 17:00.

Miss Bisson’s father David Clements – himself a distinguished skating coach – will introduce the British Figure Skating Championship winner in a speech.

Ice Skate Jersey’s Trudie Halstead described Miss Bisson as the “perfect person” to open the rink.

“She and her young family have moved to the island and the warm welcome they have received has made them feel a part of the community here. We’re very pleased that she’ll open this year’s event and that Robert will get to demonstrate some high-quality ice skating for guests,” she said. 

Pictured: Some of the ice mascots that will be on hand to give little skaters an extra bit of help.

After the sliceing of the ribbon, the rink will slide into action with a special routine from Jersey skating coach Robert Proctor.

The opening doesn’t just mark a milestone in the island’s 2017 Christmas calendar, but will also be a wish come true for many islanders who mourned the loss of the rink from the Fort last year when it was frozen out by an SOJDC-backed competitor at the Weighbridge. 

Ice Skate Jersey’s return to the Fort will be its seventh year in the former tourist hotspot.

The 800m² rink, which is made of real ice, will run until 14 January 2018. 

Louise Burrows, Head of Marketing at Sure, commented: “We’re so pleased that Ice Skate Jersey is back this year as we know that a trip to the rink is such an important part of the festivities for many islanders.”