ICE SKATING: TWO Whitby sisters have been skating their way to success by claiming tournament successes in their respective disciplines.
Naomi Hitchmough, 16, has booked a place in the British Ice Dance Championship finals alongside partner Owen Edwards, 15, in their first year of junior competition after they won their qualifying tournament in Slough last week.
Meanwhile, her free-skating sister Bethany, 12, has also produced a couple of medal-winning displays by finishing runner-up in the Deeside Open and third in the Telford Open.
Both girls go to Ellesmere Port Catholic High School but Naomi has just finished her GCSEs and is hoping to study Sports Science at West Cheshire College in September.
Naomi and Owen, from Gresford, booked their place in December's national finals by performing the Viennese Waltz and a jazz jive tune.
Naomi's ambition is to skate for Great Britain in the Winter Olympics and she would also like to go into coaching.
Bethany, who is coached by Hayley Pardo, and hopes to take part in the British Novice Championships later this year, secured her medals by producing double jumps, including a cherry loop and a flying camel spin.
But despite the girls' success, mum Sharon Hitchmough is desperate to find more sponsors to help her daughters.
She said: 'They're doing so well but it's hard to fund them as they've got to travel around the country to take part in various competitions. I have to pay £120-a-week coaching fees just so they can train. I would be very grateful if anyone could help us out, even if it's just providing costumes.'
