Breakfast on the ice brings business leaders closer to South Africa’s skating talent

Around 50 guests, including business leaders from various industries, sat down for breakfast at tables positioned directly on the ice at The Grove Mall in Pretoria on Friday, 18 September, while South African figure skaters performed around them.

The unusual setting was part of Evolution On Ice’s first Breakfast with Champions, organised to introduce potential sponsors to local skating talent and the support athletes need as they progress through the sport.

Guests watched a programme of 28 performance segments featuring skaters of different ages and abilities. The morning included individual and pairs routines, group performances and an all-skater finale. Skaters with special needs also took part, while Evolution On Ice’s coaching team had an opportunity to perform.

For the athletes, it was a chance to demonstrate their skills to people who might otherwise know little about figure skating. For the guests, the performances offered a closer look at the work taking place in a sport that receives relatively little attention compared with South Africa’s more established sporting codes.

Competitive figure skating requires years of training and considerable financial commitment. Many athletes spend their early mornings on the ice, while their families carry the ongoing costs of coaching and equipment. As skaters progress, international competition brings additional expenses that can put opportunities beyond their reach.

Breakfast with Champions was created to help business leaders understand that commitment and see where their support could make a difference. Sustained financial backing can give talented athletes greater opportunities to train and compete at higher levels.

The morning also brought together representatives from government and organised sport. Deputy Minister of Sport, Arts and Culture Peace Mabe addressed guests and athletes, alongside South African Figure Skating Association (SAFSA) President Christo Viljoen and Gauteng North chairperson Anne Waldeck-Thill.

Yolande Giering also shared the background to Evolution On Ice, which she established in Pretoria with Konrad Giering in 2017. Both have more than 30 years of skating experience, having represented South Africa before performing professionally in international ice productions.

The school has since grown to more than 300 members from Pretoria, Centurion, Johannesburg and surrounding areas. Its programmes accommodate beginners and recreational skaters alongside competitive athletes working towards national and international events. Evolution On Ice has also expanded opportunities in different skating disciplines and for people with special needs.

An important part of that development comes from the school's wider coaching team. While competitive skaters may attract the most attention, coaches work with athletes from their earliest lessons through years of training and competition preparation. They help skaters develop their technique and confidence while supporting them through the demands of the sport.

Their contribution was also reflected in the breakfast programme, with a group of coaches taking to the ice alongside the athletes they help develop.

For Evolution On Ice coaches Konrad and Yolande Giering, the event was an opportunity to introduce business leaders to the people behind the performances and begin conversations that could lead to greater support.

“This was the first of what we hope will become many successful Breakfast with Champions events. We are incredibly proud of our elite skaters, who had the opportunity to showcase their phenomenal talent, dedication and skill. Our greatest hope is that this event will open new doors, create meaningful partnerships and positively change the course of these talented athletes’ futures.”

The morning concluded with guests meeting the skaters and coaches, allowing conversations about potential support to continue beyond the performances.

Evolution On Ice hopes to build on those introductions through future Breakfast with Champions events, giving more South African skaters the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities and connect with people who can support their progress.