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Spanish ice dancer Sara Hurtado: Having good ice skates is everything for us

Toronto/Madrid, Mar 19 (EFE), (Camera: EFE).- Raj Misir is putting the finishing touches on a pair of skates before sending them to Olympic figure skater Sara Hurtado. As a laser machine engraves the Spaniard's name on the outside of one of the boots, the vice president of Jackson Ultima Skate explains that she "likes the skate to fit like a glove."To the Spanish ice dancer, her skates are what a Silver Arrow is to Lewis Hamilton: a vehicle to greatness. Her skates are “crucial” to be able to train and compete at the highest level. “Comfort, balance and grip are everything,” the Olympian tells Efe in an interview.FOOTAGE AND SOUNDBITES OF OLYMPIC FIGURE SKATER SARA HURTADO: "For us, our ice skates are everything. It is like trying to compete in Formula One without a car. The balance, security and comfort they give you are key, firstly, for training well, because we use them for many hours per day. They have to be durable because they normally last a whole season.""The first inspiration to complete the 'look' of a performance comes from the music and the story you create with that music. It is always very fun, the creative process of choosing the music, prepare the choreography, decide what you want to express, to tell... what conversation you want to share with the public.""Until the last year, we hadn't collaborated with Juan Vidal, a top designer, who designed our dresses. I think it was an excellent idea because he gave ice skating a fresh look."