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Episode 2

Episode 2 of 4

Teenage athlete Freddie shares a stage with the country’s elite skaters, and Olympic hopefuls Nina and Kristen battle it out at the Austria Cup.

Junior athlete Freddie rubs shoulders with the country’s elite skaters, whilst Olympic hopefuls Nina and Kristen continue to battle it out at the Austria Cup – the last chance to qualify for Beijing 2022.

Teenager Freddie discovered skating later than most, and it’s changed his life. After catching the eye of the judges during competition, the Nottingham teenager is given the chance to rub shoulders with the elite at the Performance Squad training camp. An opportunity to skate at the Cup of Austria could provide Freddie with the chance to join the squad for good, but he’ll need nerves of steel and solid triple jumps to outshine the competition.

At 27, Nina’s thoughts are increasingly turning toward retirement. But despite being ranked number four in the UK, the big win has so far proved elusive and the Sheffield-trained skater is determined to realise her potential before hanging up her boots. One of Nina’s biggest challenges lies in funding her time on the ice. Having failed to reach the Olympic qualifying score in the season so far, Nina’s last chance to succeed is at the Austria Cup, where she’ll go head-to-head with the UK’s no 1 skater Natasha.

Also hoping to make Austria the destination for Olympic qualification, injury comeback-queen Kristen has one final chance to make the grade.
After a difficult skate in Italy, coach Phil pulls out some unusual training methods to help restore Kristen’s confidence.

4 months left to watch

45 minutes

Signed Audio described

Music Played

  • Wolf Alice

    Don't Delete The Kisses

  • Glass Animals

    Youth

  • Sigma

    Changing (feat. Paloma Faith)

  • Gabrielle Aplin

    Salvation

  • Lana Del Rey

    Video Games

  • Freya Ridings

    Lost Without You

Credits

Role Contributor
Executive Producer Tanya Winston
Executive Producer Sarah Spencer
Series Producer Sarah Veevers
Series Producer Kate Siney
Series Editor Martin Fuller
Production Manager Paul Evans
Production Company Blast! Films

Broadcasts

Watch exclusive Open University interviews with the skaters

Learn more about issues behind elite sports with The Open University.