The Need for Speed Ice Stars

Previously on Ice Stars...

I'd like to get an Olympic medal.

I mean, I know that's ages and ages away.

I'm willing to do whatever it takes.

Please put your hands together for Ella!

Going solo is the right choice for me.

And I'm definitely going to carry on doing it.

It's so nice to be back and seeing everyone.

We're all really happy that you're back and skating again.

Coming up...

Ella swaps her skates for pedals.

We want no injuries today. Particularly you, Ella.

I'll try my hardest.

Josh and Kloe show the Our School kids how it's done.

How does she get her leg so high?!

And Izzy has one last chance

to prove she's got what it takes to make it to the Olympics.

If you hadn't guessed already, being an Ice Star is a lot of fun.

But it's not always easy...

Come on, last one. One more!

I stopped the music because people are getting sloppy.

..as ice dancer Josh knows all too well.

He's had a whirlwind of a season so far.

His partnership with Lucy came to an end

after they won British Championships.

Oh, thanks.

The last time I skated with a partner was with Lucy

at the British.

We won it, but then afterwards we went our separate ways.

After then I was skating on my own for quite a while,

and it was a bit lonely.

But he didn't stay lonely for long.

Waiting for an early-morning training session

is none other than best friend and old partner Ellie.

Skating with Josh just feels natural,

because we've skated together so long.

And we're really good friends.

So we get on really well.

After a few fun sessions together,

the ice duo are starting to take training a little more seriously.

-Are you all right?

-Yes, fine, thanks.

They've booked a session with ice dance Olympian Nick Buckland.

He's here to teach Jellie some steps for a new dance.

Josh and Ellie have had their first couple of sessions back together.

It's about testing the waters a little bit and seeing how it feels.

They've both grown. We've got a lot of work to do,

but they enjoy skating with each other, which is nice to see.

We've just got to keep ploughing forwards.

Yeah, it feels really good to be skating with Josh again.

It's really fun.

But, because it's been almost a year since they split,

they've got a few hurdles to overcome.

OK, let's sort this out because this is...

I don't know what's happened here.

And some moves that just aren't working.

You've really got to let her know exactly what edge you're on.

OK. Out using the arm, and change using the leg.

OK, ready?

No, stop. That doesn't look good.

But with some expert advice from Nick, things start to come together.

This is the tedious part, really, isn't it?

Learning new moves.

But that's a tough process you've got to go through, so...

They've still got a long way to go.

When they first got on the ice this morning,

Josh and Ellie took a bit of time to get used to what they were doing.

It was a little bit frantic.

When you're skating with somebody,

you've really got to feel out your partner and notice their rhythm.

You've got to try and become in sync with each other a bit more.

Some things feel the same whilst we're skating together.

Like how we talk to each other and everything, that's not changed.

Stay on the inside of her, Josh.

That's fine, keep going.

They're definitely trying to find their feet again.

You never know what'll happen until you're further down in the season.

We've got to let their routines develop,

they've just got to keep coming in and training every day

and they'll see what happens.

It's really fun, just not having any pressure on us to do well

at a competition at the minute.

Do you want it?

Just getting to dance together,

I think then we can start thinking about things longer term.

On the other side of town...

..figure skaters Josh and Kloe have had a season full of ups...

..and downs.

All elements like last time, go!

After a tough British Championships...

I feel like I'm wasting my time when I skate like this.

..Josh and Kloe are trying to put it all behind them.

So Kloe, what are your thoughts on the British now?

Everything happens for a reason. I don't really know why it happened,

-but it was definitely a learning lesson.

-Yeah.

I think we wanted it so much, we wanted it too much,

that, like, we put so much pressure on ourselves.

We've learned from it and like, we've moved on now,

so it's about going more positive from now on.

Let's not sit here and just, like, be sad, let's do something fun.

Oh, if only you could drive.

Like, we could go on a road trip right now!

Sorry about that, but you know what? Let's just go jam out in the car.

-That's fun anyway.

-Let's do it.

Right.

-Are you ready? I'm not sure you're ready for this.

-No.

Safety first. Seat belts.

-Shoes off.

-Just check what I look like in the mirror.

-Do you want to check what you look like?

-Yeah, please.

-OK.

-OK, ready?

If we were going on a road trip right now, we would just go, like,

wherever the wind takes us.

Let's imagine we're in LA.

Driving through the central LA along the beach.

You know, what more could we want in life?

-Oh, I know.

-Oh, you know?

I do.

What is it?

Music!

Yes!

# I stay out too late

# Got nothing in my brain

# That's what people say

# Oo-oo

# Cos the players gonna play, play, play, play, play

# And the haters gonna hate, hate, hate, hate, hate

# Baby, I'm just gonna shake, shake, shake, shake, shake

# I shake it off I shake it off... #

That was good!

Do, you know what? Let's imagine this is a submarine.

There's fish everywhere.

Shut up!

Can you see that?!

No, I can't see anything.

You're going to have to tell me what it is.

The shark! Right in front of us.

Oh, my goodness! Whoa! Whoa!

Get down!

Are we OK? Did we survive?

-It's back!

-Argh!

-It's over.

-That was so good.

-That was so fun.

We definitely needed that. Let's be real here.

I loved that. Maybe we should do that more often.

Every time we have a bad skate now,

this is what we've got to do. This is like the new ritual.

-Love it.

-This is our new thing, OK?

That was a good idea. High five.

Loved it. That was the best thing.

Rituals seem to be a bit of a thing for our Ice Stars.

I always have to put my left boot on before my right boot.

If I put my left boot on by accident,

I'll take it off and put my right boot on.

I do box, short socks,

shorts, skates, shins.

We have to pray to the Synchro God.

I used to have to put my boots on, like, two minutes before I go on,

because otherwise my feet hurt, but that's not really for good luck.

We hope we get all the points we want to get.

And no-one falls over. And then Esther is like, "Amen".

Speed skater Izzy has been working hard chasing her Olympic dream.

She's already met her idol,

the triple world champion, Elise Christie.

You need to be a bit more aggressive.

But that comes with being on the ice.

It's good to see her keeping up and she was even going out in front

for some of them, so she's brave for sure.

She caught the eye of GB coaches while competing last year.

You moved when you needed to move - the girl moved wide,

you took advantage and went up the inside.

She tried to get past you, blocked, unfortunately in the last lap,

but other than that, it was much, much better.

And now she's being given the chance of a lifetime.

Izzy has been asked to try out for the new GB Speed Skating Academy.

Just about to head in for the GB Academy ice testing.

Feeling pretty nervous, but excited.

Should be a good day, hopefully.

Let's go.

If she makes it, she'd get to train full-time with the GB coaches

and maybe make the next Olympic team.

So, I've been preparing really hard for this day.

I've been doing more training than I ever have done,

so I'm hoping it goes well. Fingers crossed.

Izzy's now almost 18,

so this is her last chance to get into the academy,

but she's not alone.

Skaters from all across Britain are being tested too.

When I turned up to the testing day,

I wasn't expecting there to be that many people

and all really amazing athletes as well.

Really good at what they do.

It definitely motivated me.

OK, find yourself a space on the wall.

Ten leg swings backwards and forwards.

Ten leg swings side to side.

One of the coaches that will be watching Izzy today is Jo.

She'll be on the ice, making sure she shows that Olympic potential.

Really what we're looking at is more than just about

how fast these skaters are.

It's about all of the different things that show us that

actually they have the potential to become Olympic champions.

So I think a lot of the guys are feeling a bit of pressure

and we kind of hope they are feeling a bit of pressure

because that replicates what they'll have to deal with in the future.

A bit of stress, a bit of pressure, but hopefully some excitement

about the opportunity that could be available to them.

So it's time for Izzy to get on the ice and show the coaches

what she can do.

The challenge when you're tired is to try and keep pushing,

even though you're tired.

It's not what you've got, it's how you use it.

GB coaches Jo and Jerrod are keeping a close eye on each skater.

Nice and easy, Izzy, not too fast.

Easy.

Concentrate, guys.

Yeah, it's really nerve-racking,

knowing that they're constantly watching you, the coaches.

On the ice, they are all there with their clipboards

and writing little notes,

and obviously you don't know what they are writing.

So that does stress you out.

The coaches are looking for teamwork,

technique, and how the skaters respond to feedback.

It's good, Izzy.

Good watching.

Bend and straighten. Bend and straighten.

That's it, try and control where your weight is.

And some of the drills are pushing Izzy to the limit.

Why not? It's all about toe heel, toe heel.

Because that's... Yeah!

I can feel it when I'm doing it and when I'm not.

You're getting the carving sound.

It's the same with Jack and Natalie.

You like to be very stable, very in control.

Sometimes you just have to be honest with the coaches

and tell them, admit to them that you can't do something.

I think if you're willing to learn and take on advice,

I think that's a good attribute to have as well.

I think it went well, but there's a lot of drills that we were doing,

practising our technique, and they were quite difficult,

so I know that there's a lot to work on.

I'm trying to ask questions if I don't understand.

I'm hoping they can see that I'm making an effort.

The on-ice trials have been tough enough

but it's the off-ice trials that Izzy has been most afraid of.

This is the angle that we're looking for. Completely straight.

If we see shoulders lifting,

shoulders dropping, or you're rotating through your shoulders,

we'll correct you once.

If we have to correct you again, we'll stop you.

Ready, then? Three, two, one, go!

Good, everybody. Well done.

The trunk testing is basically testing your abs,

your arms, shoulders, just basically your whole body.

Yes, obviously, the boys went first and we watched them do it,

so you see how hard it is before.

And they were all trying really hard at the end

and you have to try and motivate them and shout their names

and stuff, tell them to keep going.

Obviously once you see how hard it is, then you have to do it yourself.

That's quite difficult.

Well done. Take a minute, boys, OK?

After months of practice, it's Izzy's turn

to prove she has the core strength needed to become an Olympian.

Three, two, one, go.

Well done, guys. That's good.

-Head down.

-Keep going.

Well done, Izzy.

That's really good.

Good positions, guys. Well done.

-Well done, guys. Keep going. Keep pushing.

-Come on!

Come on, up, up, up!

-Keep going, Izzy.

-Come on!

Last bit. Ten seconds.

And stop, well done.

She's smashed it.

It was very tough.

I feel dead.

# I'm only human after all... #

It's been a really long day.

The sessions have been pretty tough,

I'm feeling really tired now, really hungry.

Just ready to go home and rest.

With the tough day of testing finally over,

all Izzy can do now is wait for the results

to see if she's earned a place on the GB Academy.

Nothing is guaranteed,

and you can't assume that you've made it yet or not.

So I've still got to wait for those results to come back.

Ice dancers Ellie and Ella have been looking forward to a catch up.

Both girls are trying to make sure that skating doesn't take over

their lives, and they make time to do other stuff too.

Thank you.

Last season, all I ever did was be on the ice, and I had no time.

Now I only train Monday to Friday and I have time to go see Mum

and Dad and my friends at the weekend.

I'm trying to make sure that skating isn't the only thing I do,

so I go cycling now with my friends at the velodrome.

-Do you enjoy it?

-Yeah.

Where would you, like, really, really want to go on holiday?

Probably like a really hot island, or something.

Where's the place where it's got pigs swimming in the sea?

Pigs?

Yeah! They're like swimming in the sea and it's cute.

"What country has swimming pigs?"

Oh, it is a real thing.

It's the Bahamas.

How did the pigs get there, though?

How did we get here?

-Shall we go?

-Yeah.

Oh, my phone!

Meanwhile, some of the other Ice Stars are getting ready

for a special ice session.

A group of year sevens from a school in Sheffield

are coming to the rink to try out skating.

And if these guys look familiar,

it's because they are taking part in another CBBC series

called Our School.

So, stand by for some fun as Ice Stars and Our School mash it up.

We're really excited to be here, but also a bit nervous.

Yeah, because we're not actually being taught today,

we're the ones teaching the kids from Our School, here.

Hi!

The Our School kids are getting the full VIP Ice Stars treatment

and, before getting their skates on,

they're having a costume make-up session with the Icicles.

The Icicles, do they have to look the same?

All of us have the same make-up done

and it's all got to be exactly the same.

Now we're putting the glitter on - we think they stand out the most.

I put tape here, and liner for which angle I want it at.

That's how we have our programme make-up.

Today, we're putting make-up on the kids from Our School,

and it's a new experience for them.

Not many of them actually have make-up.

I love all the glamour of the ice skating.

I feel a bit like a celebrity. I want to be an ice skater now!

It'll be interesting to see how they are on the ice

because they've all been so up for it now for the make-up.

So heavy!

The laces are so long.

Can I put mine on yet, or what?

Some of the Our School kids have never been on ice before

so it's up to Josh and Kloe to show them how it's done.

A quick show of hands - hands up who's skated before.

So, over half of you have skated before, which is great.

I've got some guys here that will help us today from the Ice Stars.

Josh and Kloe will be joining us on the ice.

-Hopefully they're not afraid to have a go.

-Yeah.

That's the main thing. As long as they trust us.

The most important thing is that we have fun but we're safe, all right?

-Yup.

-Everybody OK with that?

-Yeah.

All right, so let's take to the ice.

It's not just us today, we've got the synchro girls with us as well.

You guys already to get on the ice?

Yes!

Right, OK.

-You don't want to fall over.

-No!

So this is like one of the Kloe spins that she can do.

I'm not doing that!

I'd die.

How does she get her legs so high?!

Wow! She's going even faster.

It's impressive, right?

-Yeah.

-They take ages for us to learn.

We could teach you how to do a basic spin.

Just literally on two feet and just spinning.

If you stand on two feet and just spin...round.

Yeah.

Just like that!

There you go.

Yeah, almost! You almost made it all the way round.

ALL: Ice Stars!

So, how did you think the session went?

-Awesome.

-I thought you guys all improved so much, you know.

Some of you couldn't even skate and you were all like racing around

by the time you've finished.

When you did that down to the floor, I can't remember what it was called,

-but that was just amazing.

-Thank you!

The star of the next ice ballerina.

It was very entertaining to watch.

Oh, thank you.

You all enjoyed it, that's the most important thing.

And you all did really well, so well done.

Yeah. And hopefully we'll see you all skating again soon.

Group high five.

-Good spinning.

-Thank you!

The session was really fun, just to be able to show the other kids

what we can do and, you know, being able to help them.

Every opportunity we get to get more kids involved is great.

The younger we can get the kids starting, the better.

It helps us to make sure the future of skating in Britain

is better than what we already have,

and it would be amazing to think that if we could encourage

these kids to start, maybe we could have

a really strong team of skaters in the future.

Today, ice dancer Ella

is getting away from the rink by spending some time

with her school friends, Immy and Georgie.

I can't wait.

They've always supported Ella in her skating and came to cheer her on

in the gala last year.

Immy and Georgie are my best friends from school

and they are really sporty as well.

I never have a dull moment with them.

We're always laughing.

And they never turn down a chance to hang out together.

Ella's very dedicated.

She skates a lot and gets up early.

-I couldn't do that.

-You are very dedicated.

Thank you.

But it's not about skating today.

Ella has another hobby that she's taking up.

This is the velodrome.

It's cycling in a massive dome and you have to go really, really fast,

but the bad thing is you have no brakes.

You can't stop pedalling,

otherwise you flip over the top of the handlebars.

It's just so exciting.

Ella loves it so much, she's even let her mum join in.

All right there, girls? Remember what we're doing?

Yes? Just don't forget, don't stop pedalling, all right?

So we want no injuries today, particularly you, Ella.

I'll try my hardest.

-So don't fall off.

-Yeah.

Just a few last-minute safety checks...

Yeah, I'm ready.

It's time to get on the track.

Half lap changes! Half lap changes!

When I'm going round the track,

all I can feel is the adrenaline pumping through me.

You're going so fast.

They're different because skating is graceful

and you do everything slowly, but on the track, you just have to go.

One more lap, black line, big push!

Cote d'Azur, Cote d'Azur!

Cote d'Azur! Cote d'Azur!

Cote d'Azur! OK, ladies, hook your bikes up.

That's it, well done.

That was really hard and now I'm hot.

-Cool.

-Ella, that was so fun.

I know.

That session was really good.

I really enjoyed going up high on the slopes

and then zooming back down really quickly.

It's basically like a roller-coaster and I love roller-coasters.

I really enjoyed today, but I don't think I'll ever quit skating for it

because I don't think I'll be that good and Sophie would kill me.

It's late but Izzy has been called to the rink by coach Mandy

to open an e-mail from the GB Academy.

After years and years of tough training sessions and hard work,

it's finally time for Izzy to find out if her Olympic dream

can be kept alive.

I've been waiting to hear about this result for a long,

long time now, and I've put a lot of work in.

I've trained the hardest I ever have done.

Because I've tried my best,

there's nothing more that I could have done, so if I don't get on,

then I know maybe this isn't for me.

Obviously, the day is here today, so I'm quite nervous.

I'm really, really hoping that I've got on.

Izzy's coach, Mandy, has always been her number one fan.

This is important for Izzy because this is her last chance.

She turns 18 soon.

If she doesn't make it now, she'll be too old.

And today she's here to support Izzy and her big moment.

If she doesn't get on, I think she'll be absolutely devastated.

She's put so much work into it.

If she gets on, I think it's one of the most exciting things

that can happen.

So there's only one thing for it.

It's time to get the results.

-Hiya.

-Hi, Mandy.

-Hiya. Bit nervous?

Yes. Yes.

So, just remember,

if it's a no, that's just the end of this journey in life,

and then you will start another journey doing something else.

-Yeah.

-So, let's find out.

-OK.

Right.

I can't even type properly!

All right, here we go.

OK.

SHE TAPS HER NAILS

-That's making mean more nervous.

-Sorry!

I'll join in!

Load, load, load, load!

-It's taking its time.

-Loading!

"Dear Isabelle, I want to extend my congratulations on your selection.

"This is a tremendous achievement

"and something you should be proud of.

Oh, excellent!

"Finally, I would like to thank you for your participation

"and reiterate just how impressed and pleased we were

"with your efforts and enthusiasm during the last few months.

"We look forward to some exciting times ahead."

Oh, exciting!

Well done. Olympics, here we go!

Yeah? In five years' time, we'll be seeing Izzy at the Olympics.

I shall come and watch you and I'll be going, "Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah!"

I feel pretty amazed right now.

I'm so excited for what's to come.

Yeah, and I bet your parents will be so pleased.

-Yes.

-Sad, really, because it's like passing you on to another coach now.

-Oh!

-But it's...

I've gone as far as you can with me and then I pass you on to the next.

That's quite sad, that.

You'll be going on to do these wonderful things in the Academy

but you'll always, in my heart, be my skater.

Oh! You're making me emotional.

Yeah.

I've managed to get on, which I cannot believe.

It's been 15 years that I've been with Mandy,

and she's been coaching me so thanks to her, I've managed to pass today.

Just really speechless right now. I can't believe it.

I'm just so excited to see what the next couple of years bring.

You know, it's like the beginning of everything.

It shouldn't be long before she'll be looking at the Olympics

and it's going to be so exciting for her.

And, after making coach Mandy's day,

Izzy has one person she can't wait to share her big news with.

Hi, Mum. Um...

'How did you go, darling?'

Good, I got on!

Yeah, I know!

Yeah.

Thank you. Thanks, yeah, it's exciting.

Love you too.

Bye!

Yeah, now that I'm kind of one step closer,

when you've been chasing something for so long and it finally starts

to become a reality almost,

um, it's pretty crazy.

Next time on Ice Stars...

Jellie have a major setback a week away from their comeback skate.

I can't do lifts at the minute.

And it's an emotional roller-coaster when the Icicles head to Canada

for the World Championships.

You've represented your country

and that's something that you should be amazingly proud of.