Cara figures out how to be a skating star

Oct 9 2008 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A YOUNG schoolgirl is set for stardom – after being selected to audition for ITV’s hit show Dancing on Ice.

Talented Cara MacInnes, of Merrick Gardens, Quarter, was over the moon when she was contacted by producers of the hugely popular show asking her to audition for the programme.

The second-year Hamilton Grammar pupil is travelling to Bradford Ice Area next month in a bid to wow the judges, who include former Olympic gold medallists Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean.

If she is successful, Cara will be invited to ITV studios in London for another round of auditions.

And she may have the opportunity to perform in the live 2009 Dancing on Ice final as well as going on the UK Dancing on Ice tour.

Cara, who began ice skating two years ago when she was a pupil at Quarter Primary School, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of former Hearsay star Suzanne Shaw, who was crowned Dancing on Ice champion in 2008.

She said: “I am over the moon at having been offered this amazing chance.

“It’s a real honour.”

Her proud mum Wilma said: “This is a huge achievement for Cara, who is dedicated to her sport.

“She trains for over nine hours a week and clinched second place at the Blackpool Open competition in April this year.”

Cara is a member of North Lanarkshire Figure Skating Club who are based at the Time Capsule, Coatbridge.

The youngster is put through her paces three times per week by her coach Gemma Stark.

Gemma said: “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and Cara had done so well to have progressed so far so quickly.

“She is a skilled athlete who always pushes the boundaries.”

The auditions take place at Bradford Ice Arena on Tuesday, November 4, and Wednesday, November 5.

Wilma said that it is her daughter’s dream to become a professional ice skater.

She added: “Cara has given up a lot to pursue her dream, so we hope she does well at these auditions.

“Even if she gets no further, it will have been an amazing experience for her.”

ICE PRINCESS : Cara MacInnes has been chosen to audition for ITV’s Dancing On Ice.

N’ICE ONE: Cara MacInnes is bidding to wow over the Dancing on Ice judges.