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The James family have every reason to be proud this week.

Glued to the television inside their cozy North Shore, Devonshire residence, proud grandparents Ethlyn and Carlton James could barely contain their emotions as they watched granddaughter Vanessa skate her way into Olympic immortality at the Winter Games in Vancouver.

Along with partner Yannick Bonheur, Canadian-born Vanessa James made history as the first black pairs skaters to compete in the Olympics.

The duo qualified for the Olympics after winning the French National Championships in the pairs last year and earlier this week finished 14th in Vancouver representing the red, white and blue of France.

James first met Bonheur in cyberspace after the latter advertised for a partner on the website icepartnerssearch.com. They eventually linked up in December of 2007 and since then have evolved into a force to be reckoned with on the ice.

Grandfather Carlton, 73, says his now famous granddaughter gets her talent from his side of the family.

"I told my wife she takes after me," he said, with a grin. "I always knew she would achieve her goals in skating because she is very committed and focused. I was so proud to see her skate in the Olympics."

So too was James'grandmother Ethlyn, who had originally planned to travel to Vancouver to watch her granddaughter compete in person.

She said: "I was going up there to see her skate, but I took sick and so I could not go. But when I saw her on the TV I was overwhelmed really.

"I was very excited and very, very proud. I was on the phone talking to other friends - I was very proud."

The 22 year-old James is a twin, whose sister, Melyssa, represents Britain and is a former national solo ice dance champion.

The twins attended Mount St. Agnes before relocating in the U.K. at age 10.

Grandfather Carlton recalled: "They were very energetic.... They would run all around the yard. We really enjoyed the time they spent here and it's good to see them doing so well on the world stage.

"It's really great when someone with ties to a tiny island like Bermuda makes it on the big stage. It just proves that dreams can be achieved when you stay focused on what it is you are trying to achieve. Hopefully Vanessa's legacy will inspire future generations of Bermudians to come."

James' uncle, Carlton Jr, added: "I am just glad to see that Vanessa has made it this far and wish her the best.

"I believe she can get a medal (Olympic) one day because she loves what she is doing and is pressing for it. She is a James and competition runs high in the family - we are always competing against each other."

The Olympic pairs skater is the cousin of local junior tennis star Tyler Smith, the top ranked Under-13 female player in the Caribbean.

Smith said she cried as she watched her cousin take her place in skating folklore.

She said: "I cried because I was so happy for them (Vanessa and Bonheur). She done it so perfectly and looked really pretty."

James' success has now inspired Smith to stay focused on her very own Olympic ambitions.

She added: "I want to work even harder now towards my goal of competing in the Olympics one day.

"I am so happy for Vanessa because I always wanted her to become really big and hopefully I can follow in her footsteps."

Present in Vancouver this week to witness James in person was an awestruck Bermuda Olympic Association president Judy Simons.

She said: "We were there to support her and she did quite well. She is a great athlete and looks fantastic.

"I think she matched her personal best in the pairs and so her Bermudian heritage should be very proud of her."[[In-content Ad]]

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