Blackburn ice-skating stars Sally Hoolin and Jakub Safranek are jumping for joy after landing a spot in Great Britain’s senior performance squad.

The British junior pairs champions, who can now compete at international Grand Prix events, have also been selected for the Silver Passport scheme, which singles out potential Olympians.

“We didn’t expect any of this so soon, but it’s nice to know that we’re on the right path,” said Hoolin.

“We’ve only just come out of the juniors, so to make the senior squad and be able to compete at international level is very important to us.

“And to be earmarked for the 2014 Winter Olympics is also a very proud achievement.”

After focusing on strength and fitness work throughout the off-season, Hoolin and Safranek are now back at the Blackburn Arena six days a week, piecing together their first senior programme.

Their new routine will be put to the test at two IJS competitions later in the summer, before the talented duo will bid for glory at the British Championships in November. “We’ve just had our last year as juniors, so we’ll be the youngest pair in the senior category,” said Safranek.

“We would love to retain our British title – now as seniors – and therefore qualify for the World Championships next March.

“It won’t be easy, but we’re aiming for at least second, because there are two places available for the European Championships next January and only first will qualify for the Worlds.”

The duo’s rise to prominence is even more remarkable considering they only formed the partnership 12 months ago, when Safranek left his native Czech Republic to move to the UK.

Hoolin’s preparations for her first senior season, meanwhile, have been doubly difficult, as the 17-year-old has had to juggle her training schedule with one of the busiest periods in the higher education calendar.

“Revising for my A-Levels and skating at the same time has been tough,” she said.

“Three hours of exams in a day has not been fun, but I think they’ve gone pretty well.”