She’s got her skates on! Millie speeds her way to success

Asked when she first realised she had a talent for roller skating, Millie said: “It was when I got my first pair of speed skates.”

Millie Paice[Missing Credit]

Unlike traditional skates and inline skates, there are no brakes on speed skates, which meant some practice was required to master the art of stopping safely. “I used to stop by falling on the floor or going into a wall,” recalled Millie.

Her dad, Rob, who, together with his wife, Lucy, and two older children, William, 16, and Annie, 11, cheer her on from the sidelines at competitions in the UK and Europe, said: “Watching Millie progress has been phenomenal. She has learnt so much from the older members of the team. She has been inspired by them and copies their technique.”

Lucy added: “She shows so much resilience, determination and sportsmanship at such a young age. Even if she doesn’t win, she is happy for the other children. We are really proud of her.”

Millie Paice at the Flanders Grand Prix[Missing Credit]

Unlike the competitiveness sometimes found among parents on the sidelines at football pitches or in the audience at talent shows, now notorious through series such as Dance Moms, Rob says that “no such cattiness” exists among parents or children in the speed skating world.

“The parents are level-headed and all supportive of one another’s children. When we go to competitions, everyone brings picnics or gazebos. There really is a nice atmosphere both on and off the track.”