Two Ukranian sisters resume figure skating dream in Swindon
The pair left the war-torn country in May
Two Ukranian sisters, who fled the war-torn country in May, have resumed their dream of figure skating success, in Swindon.
In recent months, Tetiana and Anna Riasna have trained twice a day at the Link Centre free-of-charge, through a refugee scheme from the charitable organisation Better.
The Kyiv refugees, aged 7 and 6 respectively, had already performed at national level before leaving Ukraine. The pair recently followed that up by competing in their first UK-wide event, in Sheffield. The contest is the biggest of its kind in the country.
Tetiana finished 29 in level 2 girls and Anna came 18 in the beginner’s class.
'Just being able to skate and enjoy themselves'
They are coached by British skating pairs champion, Zoe Jones, who is Swindon born and raised. The first session of the day starts at 6am!
The sisters were used to being accompanied by a coach, when training in Ukraine, but they now have more skating freedom.
"It was very nice to see them the first time on the ice without a coach, just being able to skate and enjoy themselves.
"They have very quickly adapted, it's sometimes hard for kids of six and seven years-old to know how to practice on their own.
"They were very nervous (for the Sheffield competition), but they dealt with it very well ... they will be in a much better position for the next time. I was very proud of them," Zoe said.
'We will have a future in figure skating'
Since moving to England, the girls have attended Westlea Primary School and been based in West Swindon with their Mum, Natalia.
She's spoken to Greatest Hits Radio.
"It is a very big opportunity for the girls, to have more time for skating, more time for training. Doing these kind of sports is very very perfect.
"We would like to thank Zoe, who helped with costumes, with the programme, with travelling to Sheffield. It's very, very helpful.
"The news about Ukraine is not very good. Everything is destroyed ... in the United Kingdom I think we will have a future in figure skating, and the girls have the opportunity to find new friends," Natalia said.
More information about Better's membership schemes for international refugees can be found here.