For most of the 2014 Winter Olympians, the road to Sochi began at a very young age at ice rinks and ski slopes across the world. The Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau is proud to announce that, for one British figure skating pair in particular, the journey to Russia brought them through Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex; a 115,000 square foot "igloo-like," state-of-the-art sports complex located on Florida's West Coast.

Pairs Skaters Stacey Kemp from Preston and David King from Carlisle, who recently clinched a spot on the Team Great Britain,have trained at Ellenton Ice in Bradenton, Florida for two years. The pair has utilized the complex's two NHL-size ice rinks, along with its top-notch fitness center, personal training and world-class coaching / staff to reach the pinnacle of their athletic careers. This will be the second Olympics for the pair who placed 16th at the Vancouver Games in 2010.

"We are thrilled that Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex has played such an important role in the lives of all six of these gold medal hopefuls," said Elliott Falcione, executive director at the Bradenton Area Convention and Visitors Bureau. "They, and all of the great athletes who travel to the Bradenton area to train at one of our many world-class facilities, have assisted in establishing Florida's west coast as one of the world's greatest sports meccas. We are rooting for them all."

The three pairs will face off beginning February 6 in Sochi.

Seven nights in Bradenton, Florida from £725 per person

Fly from London Heathrow with United Airlines on February 15 and spend seven nights at the Holiday Inn Express, Bradenton. This package costs from £725 per person based on two adults and two children sharing room only and includes return flights, accommodation and fully inclusive economy car hire. Subject to availability at the time of booking. For more information or to book visit www.funwayholidays.co.uk or call 0844 557 0770.

About the Bradenton Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

The Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key area is located on Florida's gulf coast between St. Petersburg and Sarasota. It is bordered on the north by Tampa Bay, and to the west by the Gulf of Mexico. Easy to get to, but off the beaten path, filled with "Old Florida" ambience brimming with opportunities to experience Florida at its most real and authentic, the Bradenton/Anna Maria Island/Longboat Key area is a part of the state worth is covering and exploring again and again. For more information on the Bradenton, Anna Maria Island and Longboat Key area, please visit www.bradentongulfislands.com.  

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For further press information contact: Antonia Robinson, Gosh PR, Tel: + 44 (0)20 7367 6745, antonia@goshpr.co.uk