Kemp and King look to Sochi after Olympic debut

From James Toney, Sportsbeat, in Vancouver

BRITISH figure skaters Stacey Kemp and David King insist homesickness won't deflect them from their Olympic ambition in four years' time.

PROMISING: British pairs skaters Stacey Kemp and David King are already planning for Sochi after their Olympic debut in Vancouver (Getty Images)

The multiple national champions produced a solid free skate to finish their debut Olympic pairs competition in 16th place, with an overall points score of 139.94.

But the Black Sea resort of Sochi remains the ultimate aim and the pair will soon return to their temporary home in Poland, where they are coached by three-time Olympians Mariusz and Dorota Siudek, to start with the planning.

"Of course it is hard being away from all your family and your friends but Stacey and I are totally committed to our skating and whatever is best for that," said King.

"We have improved so much since we've been with our coaches and we are already really excited about the next four years.

"Being here at the Olympics has given us a taste of the biggest stage and we can't wait to come back.

“There are a lot of big competitions to focus on in the next four years and while you don’t want to obsessed about the Olympics, it’s always there at the back of your mind.

"However, next time we want to be more competitive. We didn't come here to win, we came out here to get the experience.

"Next time we will know what to expect from an Olympics and it should be much easier."

Shen Zue and Zhao Hongbo roared in the Chinese New Year by claiming gold at the third time of asking.

The married partners returned from Salt Lake City and Turin with bronze but are proof to Kemp and King that patience and long-term thinking is important in figure skating.

"They are an inspiration and being around them, watching them on the ice and seeing how they prepare has been a real eye opener," he added.

"Our free program was pretty good, we only missed the twist section and our focus on the other elements was really good.

"We've got a lot of work to do on the elements that we are missing from our skating. These are the areas we need to polish to get up there with the very best in the sport.

"Everyone here is working to the top level and you need to put in the long and hard hours just to keep up."

King and Kemp will spend the rest of the Olympics getting around other venues - and are looking forward to catching a variety of sports, in addition to cheering on team-mates Sinead and John Kerr, outside tips for an ice dance medal next week.

They will then reset their sights on the final competition of the season, the World Championships in Turin next month.

"We are trying to be sponges and soak up every aspect of the experience from the opening ceremony to the village to the competition venues," added King.

"We have felt part of a bigger team than just us for a change. We want to get out there now and support our team-mates."

AS IT HAPPENS: Day four from the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver 

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