0:00:10 > 0:00:12There's too many of you on this team
0:00:12 > 0:00:14who think you're better than what you are.
0:00:15 > 0:00:16Keep on the edge.
0:00:16 > 0:00:18No! Back, back, back.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24Making it as a champion skater doesn't come easy.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26It takes years of practice...
0:00:26 > 0:00:28Keep going, keep going, keep going!
0:00:28 > 0:00:30..hard work...
0:00:30 > 0:00:32One more, then I'll be a very happy coach.
0:00:32 > 0:00:34..and dedication.
0:00:34 > 0:00:36Yeah, yeah. Stop, let's go for it.
0:00:36 > 0:00:38Go for it, go for it, go for it!
0:00:41 > 0:00:45But, even then, only a few will become tomorrow's...
0:00:50 > 0:00:53This is the National Ice Centre in Nottingham.
0:00:53 > 0:00:57It's where future Ice Stars work hard to get to the top.
0:01:00 > 0:01:05With two rinks, it was built to honour Torvill and Dean,
0:01:05 > 0:01:08the city's famous Olympic gold medal winners.
0:01:11 > 0:01:14And there are plenty of others who want to follow in their footsteps.
0:01:22 > 0:01:23Coming up...
0:01:23 > 0:01:26A major competition is just days away,
0:01:26 > 0:01:29but figure skater Josh is having trouble landing his jumps.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31This is not OK.
0:01:31 > 0:01:33It is really frustrating when you do end up falling.
0:01:33 > 0:01:35A mystery illness threatens
0:01:35 > 0:01:37to leave Maddy's speed skating dream in tatters.
0:01:37 > 0:01:39My breathing was really bad on that one -
0:01:39 > 0:01:42although I managed to, like, not cough until the last lap,
0:01:42 > 0:01:44it was still really, really bad. SHE BREATHES HEAVILY
0:01:44 > 0:01:45Like, REALLY bad.
0:01:45 > 0:01:48And Adriano finally makes a life-changing decision
0:01:48 > 0:01:51about his new ice-dancing partner.
0:01:51 > 0:01:54It was difficult because I needed to decide one,
0:01:54 > 0:01:56but finally I decided.
0:02:04 > 0:02:08At the rink, there have never been enough boys taking up ice dance...
0:02:10 > 0:02:13..and Ella and Chloe have struggled to find themselves a partner.
0:02:13 > 0:02:15No boys. Literally no boys.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19In Nottingham, there's just girls and there's one boy, with Josh,
0:02:19 > 0:02:20but he's skating with Ellie.
0:02:20 > 0:02:23There's a lot of girls that are looking for partners
0:02:23 > 0:02:28because it's not often that a boy comes over to start dance.
0:02:30 > 0:02:32But new boy Adriano has come over -
0:02:32 > 0:02:33all the way from Italy.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38I have a dream. I would like to be in the Olympics
0:02:38 > 0:02:42and try to win first, second or third place.
0:02:44 > 0:02:47Having had dance try-outs with both Ella and Chloe,
0:02:47 > 0:02:50Adriano is now faced with a tough decision -
0:02:50 > 0:02:52choosing between the girls.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55The best thing about Chloe is spinning.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00And Ella, she is very short.
0:03:00 > 0:03:02It's a difficult choice for me.
0:03:02 > 0:03:05Adriano and I both came to the same decision.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09From my perspective, it was who I thought best
0:03:09 > 0:03:14in terms of height difference and matching ability.
0:03:14 > 0:03:20And, from Adriano's side, it was who he thought he'd best get along with.
0:03:20 > 0:03:22So who's the lucky girl, Adriano?
0:03:24 > 0:03:27But, finally, I decided to pick...
0:03:27 > 0:03:28Ella.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38When I found out that I was going to be partnered with Adriano,
0:03:38 > 0:03:40I felt really happy and excited.
0:03:42 > 0:03:46From Adriano's side, he got on really well with Ella,
0:03:46 > 0:03:48they communicated well on the ice
0:03:48 > 0:03:51and it seemed like the best decision.
0:03:53 > 0:03:55I was bothered a little bit, but not as much,
0:03:55 > 0:03:57because they'll be good together
0:03:57 > 0:03:59because they're new and they can learn together.
0:03:59 > 0:04:01I felt sorry for Chloe
0:04:01 > 0:04:03because I thought she was going to get Adriano,
0:04:03 > 0:04:06because she's a better skater than me
0:04:06 > 0:04:09and she's been skating longer than me.
0:04:09 > 0:04:12Chloe may have missed out on finding a partner,
0:04:12 > 0:04:14but it's not going to hold her back.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16So it's early morning training as usual.
0:04:16 > 0:04:18I'm going to continue doing singles,
0:04:18 > 0:04:21but I'm also going to keep my eyes open for partners.
0:04:23 > 0:04:26Chloe's friends, solo skaters Lauren and Kershia,
0:04:26 > 0:04:29are also on the search for partners.
0:04:29 > 0:04:33So I do ice dance, and you can either do solos or couples
0:04:33 > 0:04:37and I have done couples in the past, but my partners have all left,
0:04:37 > 0:04:38so I'm looking for a new one...
0:04:38 > 0:04:42It's hard when you have a skater that talented and that good,
0:04:42 > 0:04:47and there's just not the boys out there for her to skate with.
0:04:47 > 0:04:50Right, I'll leave you to practise for a little bit now.
0:04:50 > 0:04:52Finding someone that is committed
0:04:52 > 0:04:55to doing just ice dance is quite hard to find,
0:04:55 > 0:04:58but hopefully there is somebody out there that'll be able to...
0:04:58 > 0:05:00join in with me, cos it's quite hard
0:05:00 > 0:05:03to actually do the dances by yourself.
0:05:04 > 0:05:07I'd like to think that, in the future,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10they'll be able to find partners
0:05:10 > 0:05:14because I know how badly they want it, and I really want that for them.
0:05:19 > 0:05:22When practice is over, the girls head to the local cafe
0:05:22 > 0:05:24for a well-earned breakfast
0:05:24 > 0:05:26and a chat about their favourite subject...
0:05:26 > 0:05:27boys!
0:05:28 > 0:05:32- I don't really have an ideal partner.- I do.
0:05:32 > 0:05:33- Go on, then.- I need a tall one.
0:05:33 > 0:05:35- LAUGHING:- A tall one!
0:05:35 > 0:05:38I think I probably just... He'll be strong,
0:05:38 > 0:05:41because he can't, like, be dropping me or I will cry.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46Yeah, so, um... not too tall! Um, strong.
0:05:46 > 0:05:48I think he'll be kind.
0:05:48 > 0:05:50The girls have got something that might help Chloe
0:05:50 > 0:05:52find her perfect partner -
0:05:52 > 0:05:57a dancing-partner website that brings solo skaters together.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00Shall we search for some guys that are actually in your qualities,
0:06:00 > 0:06:02- so like Novice and stuff? - Yeah, sure.
0:06:03 > 0:06:05- So level...- Yeah, Novice.
0:06:05 > 0:06:06- Minimum 4'9"?- Yeah.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10- Sorry, what am I doing? - CHLOE LAUGHS
0:06:10 > 0:06:12There you go.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14- You've got one.- Wow(!)- We have one.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17- And he's from Latvia.- Latvia?
0:06:17 > 0:06:20I think you need to make a biography for this.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Like, it is so easy to make it.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25Cos then you can get in contact with people like him,
0:06:25 > 0:06:27and it makes such a difference.
0:06:28 > 0:06:32Inspired by Lauren and Kershia's advice,
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Chloe heads home to talk with her mum,
0:06:34 > 0:06:36and set up a profile of her own.
0:06:42 > 0:06:45But not everyone's looking for a partner.
0:06:45 > 0:06:47One boy who's definitely not
0:06:47 > 0:06:50is British figure skating champion Josh.
0:06:50 > 0:06:54I started skating about seven years ago.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56I'm able to express myself in the way,
0:06:56 > 0:06:59maybe, I wouldn't be able to do in a different sport
0:06:59 > 0:07:00and I think, without skating,
0:07:00 > 0:07:03I don't really think I'd know what to do with myself, so...!
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Josh has moved up an age category this year,
0:07:05 > 0:07:10from Novice to Juniors, and is tipped for the Olympics in 2018.
0:07:10 > 0:07:12I would say I do set myself very high standards.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15Obviously, not everyone aspires to be an Olympic champion -
0:07:15 > 0:07:17that's something I really want to be.
0:07:17 > 0:07:19I know not a lot of people tend to set goals,
0:07:19 > 0:07:22but I am someone that tends to set very, very, very high goals!
0:07:22 > 0:07:25To follow his dream, Josh has made loads of sacrifices.
0:07:25 > 0:07:29His whole family have moved over 30 miles,
0:07:29 > 0:07:32changing schools and jobs, and leaving friends behind.
0:07:32 > 0:07:34We've moved locations for this.
0:07:34 > 0:07:36We moved from Lincoln to Nottingham to come and do this sport
0:07:36 > 0:07:39and we've put a lot of time and effort into this.
0:07:39 > 0:07:43And Josh's gruelling schedule also made it hard for his sister, Chloe.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Chloe never had any play dates after school
0:07:45 > 0:07:47because she was always in the car.
0:07:47 > 0:07:48It was quite annoying,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50because it kind of wasn't my life
0:07:50 > 0:07:52as much as much as I wanted it to be.
0:07:52 > 0:07:55It was kind of all about Josh.
0:07:55 > 0:07:59Now she's settled in Nottingham, Chloe has her own dreams to follow.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02I do want to be an actress and be on telly and in films.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05And I always think, "Oh, I'd love to be that role."
0:08:05 > 0:08:07- Hi, Mummy.- Hi, darling.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09And now they're closer to the rink,
0:08:09 > 0:08:11there's more time for normal family life.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- Has everybody got everything? - Yeah.- Yeah? Good.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18- It's really nice. - Yeah, it's really nice, Mummy.- Good.
0:08:18 > 0:08:20His aspiration is to win an Olympic medal,
0:08:20 > 0:08:21so he's making sacrifices
0:08:21 > 0:08:24because he knows that, ultimately, they'll pay off.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27When we lived in Lincoln, we never sat down together as a family.
0:08:27 > 0:08:29Only on a Sunday - that would be about it.
0:08:29 > 0:08:32I think it just makes you more of a family,
0:08:32 > 0:08:36which was really missing when we were just doing the commuting.
0:08:36 > 0:08:38We've definitely spent a lot of money and sacrificed a lot
0:08:38 > 0:08:41in order for me to get to this point now.
0:08:41 > 0:08:44Hopefully he'll make it to the Olympics and win gold.
0:08:44 > 0:08:46If he doesn't, then he's in trouble.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51It's 6am, and Josh is warming up at the Olympic rink,
0:08:51 > 0:08:53ready to learn a new routine.
0:08:56 > 0:08:57In three weeks' time,
0:08:57 > 0:09:00he has an international competition in Luxembourg,
0:09:00 > 0:09:04which could help bring him closer to his Olympic dream.
0:09:04 > 0:09:06In my new routine, I mean, I have six triple jumps,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08which are like the hardest jumps to do,
0:09:08 > 0:09:12and trying to do them all the first time is quite challenging.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15I think every training session's tiring!
0:09:15 > 0:09:17There's never an easy day.
0:09:24 > 0:09:25Very nice.
0:09:28 > 0:09:30Coach Gurgen is an ex-Olympic figure skater,
0:09:30 > 0:09:33and is taking Josh through his new routine
0:09:33 > 0:09:35with his tough-love approach.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37It was very high. No problem, man.
0:09:37 > 0:09:41Come on, just skating nice and beautiful with big spin, right?
0:09:41 > 0:09:42Come on.
0:09:43 > 0:09:47One of Josh's best friends, Kloe, is also up early before school.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50I get up at six o'clock.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54From 6.30 till 8.00, I'm training in the morning.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56She's one of Great Britain's hopefuls
0:09:56 > 0:10:00and, like Josh, will be competing at Junior level.
0:10:01 > 0:10:05She was disappointed with her performance in Luxembourg last year.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07I'm feeling a bit nervous about Luxembourg,
0:10:07 > 0:10:09but this is what I want to do,
0:10:09 > 0:10:13and I want to be a professional figure skater, so...
0:10:13 > 0:10:16Gurgen and his coaches have been training
0:10:16 > 0:10:17both Josh and Kloe for years.
0:10:17 > 0:10:19They've grown up together on the ice.
0:10:19 > 0:10:22so Josh has two "Chloes" in his life -
0:10:22 > 0:10:24his real sister and his ice sister.
0:10:24 > 0:10:28I think if I didn't have Kloe as not only a training partner,
0:10:28 > 0:10:30but as a best friend, I think it would be really hard
0:10:30 > 0:10:33to be as pushed and as driven-forward as I am.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35Very nice spin, all right?
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Beautiful spin.
0:10:37 > 0:10:39And you can give more push up there,
0:10:39 > 0:10:42and it will be like how they did it the first time, you remember?
0:10:54 > 0:10:58I felt like this session was really good and I'm happy about that
0:10:58 > 0:11:02because, every time before competitions,
0:11:02 > 0:11:05if I skate bad in the session, I get more nervous.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08So I'm really happy that this session went like this.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10Things are looking good for Kloe
0:11:10 > 0:11:13but, back on the ice, Josh is discovering
0:11:13 > 0:11:16that landing new moves isn't always that easy,
0:11:16 > 0:11:18no matter how good you are.
0:11:32 > 0:11:33This is not OK.
0:11:33 > 0:11:37You did ideal jump and it was beautiful and then fell, why?
0:11:37 > 0:11:38Not beautiful.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41Believe me, you're doing absolutely good jump.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45When he fell today, just because he was angry with himself today,
0:11:45 > 0:11:48you know, because something is not happen how he think.
0:11:48 > 0:11:49But this is good,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51because he have a big ambition.
0:11:51 > 0:11:53I have to explain to him -
0:11:53 > 0:11:56without mistake, we can't learn.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59It is annoying when you do fall, and you're like, "I can do this,
0:11:59 > 0:12:00"I've been able to do it for a while,"
0:12:00 > 0:12:03so, yeah, you've just got make sure you get back up and just keep going.
0:12:07 > 0:12:11Not all the skating disciplines are about grace and beauty.
0:12:11 > 0:12:15Some are about speed, adrenaline and power.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19Maddy is one girl who's faster than most.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22It's pretty cool, being a speed skater,
0:12:22 > 0:12:25because you're going really fast
0:12:25 > 0:12:27on ice, on these super-sharp blades.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30I kind of like that, cos it's a bit unpredictable.
0:12:30 > 0:12:34It's fast and furious, with skaters racing each other around the ice
0:12:34 > 0:12:38at high speeds, trying to be the first to cross the finish line.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42Ex-Olympian coach Mandy knows it takes a special kind of person
0:12:42 > 0:12:44to take on this sport.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48People that carry on into speed skating are a certain personality.
0:12:48 > 0:12:51they like the competitive, they like speed,
0:12:51 > 0:12:55they like things that are a bit reckless.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57You have to be really competitive.
0:12:57 > 0:13:01It adds a little bit of danger, which I like.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Not sure what that says about me.
0:13:04 > 0:13:07But her love of danger has come at a price.
0:13:07 > 0:13:09I completely stopped skating for around six months,
0:13:09 > 0:13:13cos I just couldn't do it without feeling...
0:13:13 > 0:13:16without literally not being able to breathe.
0:13:16 > 0:13:19It just kind of cuts off and I can't get any air down at all
0:13:19 > 0:13:23and it's awful, and it's worst feeling ever,
0:13:23 > 0:13:26and I don't like that I now associate that with skating,
0:13:26 > 0:13:30which is obviously one of my favourite things in the world.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33It's an illness that can affect speed skaters
0:13:33 > 0:13:36who push themselves too hard, too young.
0:13:36 > 0:13:38We had two skaters this year -
0:13:38 > 0:13:41we had Ben and we've had Maddy - who've both struggled.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45They ran out of breath and they felt dizzy, and they got no energy.
0:13:45 > 0:13:48So, for Maddy, she'd struggle with her breathing,
0:13:48 > 0:13:50she would have, like, a panic attack,
0:13:50 > 0:13:53so she would be gagging, so then she would just stand up
0:13:53 > 0:13:57and not finish the race, or they would stop the race.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00She was struggling, even, to get through a 500m race.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03She'd do maybe two laps and have to stop
0:14:03 > 0:14:05because her chest got tight,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07she felt like she couldn't breathe.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Maddy's got an important speed skating competition tomorrow
0:14:10 > 0:14:12and needs to set a good time.
0:14:12 > 0:14:15Well, I have to get 54 dead
0:14:15 > 0:14:19in order to qualify for international competitions.
0:14:19 > 0:14:21I'm a little worried about it.
0:14:21 > 0:14:26She's not been doing anywhere near the number of training sessions
0:14:26 > 0:14:28she probably normally would do.
0:14:28 > 0:14:31So, in an attempt to improve her health
0:14:31 > 0:14:34AND get the speed times she needs, Maddy's changing her diet.
0:14:34 > 0:14:36I decided to start a vegetarian diet
0:14:36 > 0:14:39in the hopes that it will perhaps ease my breathing
0:14:39 > 0:14:42because of the healthier diet.
0:14:42 > 0:14:46Tonight is her...OUR inaugural vegetarian meal,
0:14:46 > 0:14:47and Maddy is going to cook it for us.
0:14:47 > 0:14:48Yo, Mum!
0:14:50 > 0:14:54Put the water on to boil first, then you can put your tagliatelle on.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57How much water do I put in? A lot?
0:14:57 > 0:14:58You need to be very strong.
0:14:58 > 0:15:02I am strong! Oh, my...! Look!
0:15:02 > 0:15:03SUE SNIGGERS
0:15:05 > 0:15:08Don't put it in yet - you boil the water first.
0:15:08 > 0:15:09Oh, yeah, you do!
0:15:09 > 0:15:11She might be a pro on the ice...
0:15:11 > 0:15:14I don't think I've ever burnt anything too... There was the...
0:15:14 > 0:15:17- LAUGHING:- Too badly! Were you going to say that, "too badly"?- Yeah.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19..but, in the kitchen, it's another story...
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Look at the sheer beauty of this courgette stalk.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24Yes, I'm very impressed, Maddy.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27But you need to learn to read a recipe.
0:15:27 > 0:15:28Oh, my gosh!
0:15:30 > 0:15:31- I can read a recipe.- Yeah(!)
0:15:31 > 0:15:34First vegetarian meal cooked.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36It's time for the taste test.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41Mmm...looks tempting.
0:15:42 > 0:15:43Here you go, Mother.
0:15:43 > 0:15:45Wow, that looks really good. Thanks.
0:15:49 > 0:15:51It's actually pretty nice.
0:15:51 > 0:15:53It's pretty decent.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56Hopefully all those vitamins will give Maddy the boost she needs
0:15:56 > 0:15:59to qualify at the speed skating competition tomorrow.
0:16:02 > 0:16:03There's one week to go
0:16:03 > 0:16:06before the international figure skating competition,
0:16:06 > 0:16:10and Josh is pushing himself hard.
0:16:10 > 0:16:14Most mornings, I tend to wake up about 5.50, 6.00-ish.
0:16:14 > 0:16:16So we'll train before school and after school
0:16:16 > 0:16:18for one to two hours in the morning,
0:16:18 > 0:16:20and then about two to three hours in the afternoon after school.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23Then, on a Saturday, we'll come in and train for three hours,
0:16:23 > 0:16:26on and off the ice, and we'll have ballet on Saturday.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29Training definitely doesn't stop once we've stepped off the ice.
0:16:29 > 0:16:31I mean, you've got off-ice all the time.
0:16:31 > 0:16:33When I come home, I mean,
0:16:33 > 0:16:35I've got a treadmill in my garage that I use every day
0:16:35 > 0:16:36and I'm having baths every night.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38Just your whole general life revolves around
0:16:38 > 0:16:41making sure you're prepared for competitions,
0:16:41 > 0:16:43making sure you're training the best you can be,
0:16:43 > 0:16:44cos Olympic champions don't stop.
0:16:44 > 0:16:47Josh's full-on training schedule means he gets to leave school
0:16:47 > 0:16:50at 2.15 every day.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54I won't be there for a full day of school any days of the week.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58Now that Josh is working towards his GCSEs,
0:16:58 > 0:17:01he's starting to feel the pressure from both sides.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05It's definitely busy trying to balance school and skating
0:17:05 > 0:17:07and trying to get here on time, bearing in mind
0:17:07 > 0:17:10the session starts in two minutes, and I'm still looking like this.
0:17:10 > 0:17:14With skating and schoolwork taking up every minute of the day,
0:17:14 > 0:17:17it means he hasn't got time for a social life.
0:17:17 > 0:17:18I wouldn't say I feel left out,
0:17:18 > 0:17:21cos obviously I still see them during the day at school,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23but I think, obviously, when you're constantly like...
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Say, on Facebook, they post a photo or whatever and you're not there,
0:17:26 > 0:17:28it's one of those things where it's like...
0:17:28 > 0:17:30"I wish I could have been there!"
0:17:31 > 0:17:33All the hard-core training Josh is doing
0:17:33 > 0:17:35is starting to take its toll on his body.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37As usual.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39- Lovely, would you like to take a seat?- Yep.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41- We'll be with you in a bit. - Thank you.
0:17:41 > 0:17:44I do have an injury at the moment on my ankles.
0:17:44 > 0:17:46Obviously, landing the jumps has got a lot of weight and pressure
0:17:46 > 0:17:49on your ankles, and your legs and your feet, so it's a lot...
0:17:49 > 0:17:52It takes a toll on your body, so it's important we come to the physio
0:17:52 > 0:17:55to look after it and make sure it doesn't get any worse.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58Come in, come in. How are you doing? You all right?
0:17:58 > 0:18:02As a mum, it is quite worrying when Josh gets these injuries,
0:18:02 > 0:18:04because he can't train, or he's in a lot of pain.
0:18:04 > 0:18:08And also you can see the swelling that he's got -
0:18:08 > 0:18:10he's moaning about it quite a lot.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Ice-skating itself is a really dangerous sport,
0:18:12 > 0:18:14because they've got a blade on the end of their foot,
0:18:14 > 0:18:19and also it's the only sport I know that they don't wear a crash helmet.
0:18:19 > 0:18:22So have you skated...? Been skating more?
0:18:22 > 0:18:24Have you ramped up the training a bit?
0:18:24 > 0:18:25Or has it stayed the same?
0:18:25 > 0:18:29I think, yeah, we're slowly starting to increase the training again.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31It's not meant to look comfortable.
0:18:31 > 0:18:33I know. No, it does really hurt.
0:18:34 > 0:18:41There's a section here which is neither tendon nor ligament, really,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43that has thickened
0:18:43 > 0:18:46and, every time Josh is putting his skates on,
0:18:46 > 0:18:47it gets irritated slightly
0:18:47 > 0:18:52when he does more of the extreme twists and spins and jumps.
0:18:52 > 0:18:54It feels a lot better already.
0:18:54 > 0:18:57I mean, it was hurting at the start of the session.
0:18:57 > 0:18:59Josh's feet might be better for now,
0:18:59 > 0:19:03but competing at a high level at such a young age has its risks.
0:19:03 > 0:19:06When you're only 15, like I am, to then be told by your physio
0:19:06 > 0:19:09that your feet are already not like everyone else's, like...
0:19:09 > 0:19:11I think that's the thing you put into the sport, though,
0:19:11 > 0:19:14because I've chosen to do this and I want to do this.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16So I just have to take on board when he says, like,
0:19:16 > 0:19:19obviously my feet aren't the way they should be.
0:19:19 > 0:19:20It's not just Josh
0:19:20 > 0:19:23who's experiencing the harsh reality of skating.
0:19:23 > 0:19:26Just days before they leave for Luxembourg,
0:19:26 > 0:19:28friend Kloe has had a massive set-back.
0:19:28 > 0:19:30I've injured my foot last week,
0:19:30 > 0:19:33but I'm not exactly too sure what happened to it.
0:19:33 > 0:19:37When I went to skating on Monday, it was really hurting,
0:19:37 > 0:19:41so they said to rest it for a few days and just ice it...
0:19:41 > 0:19:45Even if I miss skating for one day, I kind of start missing it.
0:19:45 > 0:19:48An injury like this could stop her going to the competition.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51It could be scary to think about...
0:19:51 > 0:19:54maybe I can't go.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Normally, if I had an injury like this,
0:19:56 > 0:20:00I would probably stay off for at least, um...
0:20:00 > 0:20:04four days, but now that I have Luxembourg coming up,
0:20:04 > 0:20:08I have to go to the rink tomorrow, so I keep training still.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11With Luxembourg just days away,
0:20:11 > 0:20:14all Kloe can do is hope her ankle recovers in time.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23At the Arena Rink, it's time for speed skater Maddy
0:20:23 > 0:20:25to prove she has what it takes
0:20:25 > 0:20:29to compete at international competitions next season.
0:20:29 > 0:20:33Well, I'm here for the competition and feeling all right at moment.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Yeah, I'm a bit worried about my breathing,
0:20:35 > 0:20:38but, if I start coughing, then I'll just try to finish the race
0:20:38 > 0:20:39and not collapse or something!
0:20:42 > 0:20:46Have you got everything? Got your drinks and guards?
0:20:46 > 0:20:47Yes, I've got everything!
0:20:47 > 0:20:48- Neck guards?- Yes!
0:20:48 > 0:20:52- Good luck, then. Race well, enjoy it!- Yes!
0:20:52 > 0:20:55- Don't panic!- OK!
0:20:55 > 0:20:58A few worries about my breathing, obviously,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00but it's really hard and I still...
0:21:00 > 0:21:02I can never really go to my full speed because of it,
0:21:02 > 0:21:04cos I just can't get the air in to be able to do that.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07It's an important competition for her today,
0:21:07 > 0:21:10cos she needs her qualifying time for the Star class.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13But, because she hasn't achieved the time,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16she's now got to re-achieve it, which is a 54.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20So let's find out just what Maddy's made of.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24Go to the start.
0:21:26 > 0:21:28Ready.
0:21:29 > 0:21:31- GUNSHOT - And she's off!
0:21:35 > 0:21:37And straight into first place.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42Come on! All the way!
0:21:42 > 0:21:44Come on, Maddy! Maddy!
0:21:44 > 0:21:47But, two laps into the race, there's a problem...
0:21:47 > 0:21:49Go on, Maddy!
0:21:49 > 0:21:51Keep going!
0:21:56 > 0:21:57Keep going!
0:21:57 > 0:22:01She's struggling to breath as she crosses the line in third place.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05I felt awful going round there.
0:22:05 > 0:22:07My breathing was really bad.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09Although I managed to, like, not cough until the last lap,
0:22:09 > 0:22:12it was still really, really bad. SHE BREATHES HEAVILY
0:22:12 > 0:22:15Like, REALLY bad. And I still haven't properly got my breath back
0:22:15 > 0:22:16from the end of the thing.
0:22:16 > 0:22:17SHE SNIFFS
0:22:17 > 0:22:21And I'm pretty sure my time was a whole lot slower, so...
0:22:21 > 0:22:24Maddy's time was 56 seconds.
0:22:24 > 0:22:28Two seconds away from qualifying for the internationals next year.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32I'm really annoyed.
0:22:32 > 0:22:33SHOUTS OF ENCOURAGEMENT
0:22:35 > 0:22:38I was going around the rink, just holding on to my...
0:22:38 > 0:22:41It doesn't really do much, it's more of a reflex action
0:22:41 > 0:22:44but I was just coughing and everything and it was awful.
0:22:44 > 0:22:47Overall, I'm really proud of her because she has persevered.
0:22:47 > 0:22:51To me, that just takes a massive amount of guts.
0:22:51 > 0:22:53I think the fact that she struggled with her breathing will have...
0:22:53 > 0:22:55will have held her back.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57I think it's been a life-changing experience.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00I think she's one of these girls that's a perfectionist,
0:23:00 > 0:23:03and I think she's had a big learning curve.
0:23:03 > 0:23:07But I think, for skating, it's kind of written off her year.
0:23:10 > 0:23:13I was two seconds off getting the time,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16which is quite a lot, when you think about it.
0:23:20 > 0:23:24Maddy's determined to keep skating, and won't give up,
0:23:24 > 0:23:26much like ice-dancer Chloe,
0:23:26 > 0:23:29who's still hoping she'll find a partner.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33She is sitting down with her mum to set up her Partner Search profile.
0:23:33 > 0:23:36There's like a million on there...
0:23:36 > 0:23:37I take it they're all girls.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41I'm going to see if there are any partners,
0:23:41 > 0:23:45- like, boys, that match my qualities, I guess.- OK.
0:23:45 > 0:23:48- Five foot... What was it again?- 5?
0:23:48 > 0:23:52- 5'5". No, 5'6".- Was it six?- Yeah.
0:23:52 > 0:23:57- Then age...11 and 14.- Yep.
0:23:57 > 0:23:59Search database.
0:24:00 > 0:24:04- Wow.- Oh, wow. My goodness me!
0:24:04 > 0:24:05There's none!
0:24:08 > 0:24:10How do you do it, then? Tell me about it.
0:24:10 > 0:24:13You're meant to fill in all my information about my skating.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17Just, like, my competitions records and my...
0:24:17 > 0:24:19where I skate, and I want to mention
0:24:19 > 0:24:23how I would like to go to the British, Europeans and Olympics
0:24:23 > 0:24:25and that sort of stuff.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29- So you want to do competitive skating, as well?- Yeah.
0:24:29 > 0:24:32- Yeah? OK. - Level of... Olympic standard?
0:24:32 > 0:24:34Yeah, why not?
0:24:34 > 0:24:36To Olympic standard.
0:24:36 > 0:24:37Yay, cool.
0:24:37 > 0:24:41And what qualities do you possess that would make you a good partner?
0:24:41 > 0:24:44Well, other than I'm fabulous, let me think.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47SHE LAUGHS So, number one - "fabulous".
0:24:47 > 0:24:51I'm nice, understanding. I've got good skills, I can help...
0:24:51 > 0:24:56We can help teach each other. I'm patient, not aggressive.
0:24:56 > 0:24:59Yeah, if you want to put all that down, it sounds really good.
0:24:59 > 0:25:01- OK, then.- OK?
0:25:01 > 0:25:04So what kind of partner are you looking for, Chloe?
0:25:04 > 0:25:06A nice one!
0:25:06 > 0:25:10One that can skate and is kind of understanding if I've got an injury.
0:25:10 > 0:25:13- So a higher-level boy, rather than a beginner?- Yeah.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16I wouldn't like someone I had to drag around with me
0:25:16 > 0:25:18and I don't think he would like someone he has to drag around,
0:25:18 > 0:25:22so someone that's either a level below or just a level above.
0:25:24 > 0:25:28Success. OK, that's all done, then.
0:25:28 > 0:25:32Profile complete, Chloe has to wait for the dancer of her dreams
0:25:32 > 0:25:33to drop into her inbox.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39Since speed skater Maddy
0:25:39 > 0:25:43missed out on her international qualifying time by only two seconds,
0:25:43 > 0:25:45she's had a lot of thinking to do.
0:25:45 > 0:25:46Being competitive
0:25:46 > 0:25:50and knowing that I'm not going to win these competitions,
0:25:50 > 0:25:54it's still quite embarrassing, even though most people know why it is.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56But the way I look at it,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58I'd rather, like, put up with that embarrassment
0:25:58 > 0:26:00because it's still something that I love to do.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02She's now decided to focus on the positives.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04DOORBELL
0:26:06 > 0:26:07- Hello!- Hi!
0:26:08 > 0:26:13I've had an epiphany, that I kind of need to...
0:26:13 > 0:26:17branch out to other things, to things other than skating,
0:26:17 > 0:26:19and I would obviously prefer to be doing more training,
0:26:19 > 0:26:21cos it's something I love,
0:26:21 > 0:26:24but it has allowed me to...
0:26:24 > 0:26:27like, see my friends more often.
0:26:27 > 0:26:28So I was going to wear this,
0:26:28 > 0:26:32but it's got a couple of stains on from my hair dye, just...
0:26:32 > 0:26:34- I think it looks fine!- Yeah.
0:26:34 > 0:26:37I was thinking maybe this one, cos it's quite light and stuff so...
0:26:37 > 0:26:38Yeah, I like that.
0:26:38 > 0:26:40I'm going to this festival with my friend.
0:26:40 > 0:26:43- You look nice. You look very nice. - How do you think this hoodie looks?
0:26:43 > 0:26:45I think it looks good, yeah.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48I think I might wear the hoodie instead of the jacket, cos...
0:26:48 > 0:26:52- OK, OK.- ..it is lighter and I can wrap it around my waist easier.- OK.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53If I need to take it off.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57It's predominantly rock music, and I'm really excited for it.
0:26:57 > 0:27:01It's literally going to be like a load of emo music, that you like.
0:27:01 > 0:27:04Not emo - emotional. It's post-hardcore!
0:27:05 > 0:27:08Hi, Madds. Before you go. Money...
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Oh, why, thank you!
0:27:10 > 0:27:12- ..tickets.- Thank you.- Thank you.
0:27:14 > 0:27:15THEY LAUGH
0:27:15 > 0:27:18'My whole life doesn't revolve around skating.
0:27:18 > 0:27:19'I would say that it used to,'
0:27:19 > 0:27:22but now I can actually have a social life.
0:27:28 > 0:27:30Next time on Ice Stars...
0:27:30 > 0:27:34The under-16s ice hockey team take on their fiercest rivals!
0:27:34 > 0:27:35You've got 15 minutes, yeah,
0:27:35 > 0:27:39before one of the worst defeats that you guys will have in your career!
0:27:39 > 0:27:42Figure skater Keira is in for a big surprise.
0:27:42 > 0:27:45Bend. Keep your body straight.
0:27:45 > 0:27:49And ice dance duo Josh and Ellie take their partnership off the ice.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52No! Joshua!
0:27:52 > 0:27:54I'll go through your legs.