Woman gets PhD in figure skating

Diana Entwistle, a former British masters ice dance champion, is the first person in the country to get a PhD in the Olympic sport.

'I decided to study it because I am passionate about figure skating and I want Britain to be good at skating,' she said.

'There is so much science in figure skating and now it is the difference between getting a gold medal and appearing lower down in the leadership table. The sport is advancing and getting to the limits of human capabilities.'



Ms Entwistle, who is in her 20s, spent four years at Essex University studying the sport and has been dubbed the 'Doctor of Skating'.

Her studies focused on aerobic fitness and its impact on figure skating.

The ice dancer, from Roxwell, Essex, said she would now like to try coaching. 'I get as much pleasure skating as seeing a pupil skate. I love helping people improve their skills,' she added.