Ice Skater

Gliding his way to success

Boredom, induced by a teachers’ strike, led Brian Duckworth, then aged 14, to trial-run a pair of ice skates and glide into a career that has seen him touring the world for the last 28 years as a top figure skater.

“Every Tuesday it was “Mother’s Club” day [at the ice rink], so Mum took me down to have a go,” he said.

“I started going three times a week and eventually my mother said did I want lesson, and I said “yes”. She then bought me a pair of skates and I was hooked.”

A few years later, when the Victorian left school and couldn’t get a job as a carpenter, he reassessed his options and decided that he might as well become a professional ice skater because he was “good at it”.

“I had already started competing and had set goals to become as good as possible. Part of those goals were to do ice shows, as it really teaches you more about the art of skating,” Brian explained.

Now 42-years-old, Brian has spent 13 years working for Disney as a figure skater. He is currently starring as Prince Eric in The Little Mermaid, and in Mickey and Minnie’s Amazing Journey, which showcases five different fairytales, including Peter Pan’s Neverland, The Lion King, Lilo & Stitch and 101 Dalmatians.

He admits that skating in up to 13 Disney On Ice shows each week takes an incredible toll on his body.

“There are many injuries: groin muscles, hamstrings, backs, shoulders – it’s very hard on the body particularly if you start hitting the ice. I also do a lot of overhead lifting which puts a lot of strain on the biceps and back,” he said.

But there are compensations. Not surprisingly, for someone who spends nine months of the year touring 39 countries, Brian has found love on the ice – and it’s actually the person he lifts the most.

“My fiancée is Ariel [The Little Mermaid]. I met her eight years ago, doing the show,” he revealed.

Despite a wedding on the horizon, Brian has no plans to retire.

“Every year I say another one or two years but it’s very difficult, because I love what I do.

“It’s a thrill and a rush to perform for people, but I’ll know when it’s time to hang my boots up.”

Mickey and Minnie’s Amazing Journey is showing until July 27th at the Acer Arena, Sydney.