Dutch freeze out rivals to win London Ice Festival
SPECTATORS of an ice sculpting competition needed a pinch of Dutch courage’ to brave the cold in East London at the weekend. But they greeted the winning team from Holland with warm cheers after they scraped through to win the annual London Ice Sculpting Festival at Canary Wharf
By Johnny McDevitt
SPECTATORS of an ice sculpting competition needed a pinch of 'Dutch courage' to brave the cold in East London.
But they greeted the winning team from Holland with warm cheers after they scraped through to win the annual London Ice Sculpting Festival which drew hundreds of people to Canary Wharf at weekend.
Five international teams of professional sculptors carved blocks of ice measuring two cubic metres (70cu ft) into works of art.
But it was the Dutch pair, Marjon Katerberg and Lars Bors, who won over judge Guy Portelli, of the Royal Society of British Sculptors, with an entry called Another Day at the Office, (pictured) an abstract of Canary Wharf's business centre.
They chiseled and chainsawed away against France, Spain, Italy and the British team, Natalie Staniforth and Mick Fox.
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The ice sculptures were inspired by East London's history as a shipping port and business hub. Entries included a drunken sailor and a $ sign riding on waves.
Spectators as young as 12 were also treated to a free penguin sculpting master class, which at least kept them warm in the freezing outdoors.
