It is easy to fall in love with ice dancing or figure skating, because not only is it extremely theatrical, but oh-so romantic.

There are a few words that describe this breathtaking sport; graceful and beautiful being foremost. But in fact it should be athleticism and dedication that top the list as it is no easy feat to dance on ice.

Christel Viljoen, coach and director at Die Yskasteel, makes it look deceptively easy.  Viljoen started skating in 2006 and is a fully qualified coach. She still skates competitively and is a former provincial and national singles champion.

ALSO READ:  Bandile’s record breaking jump at JJJ athletics meet

This past weekend Viljoen, who hails from Pretoria, shared her knowledge with wannabe skaters at i’langa. Christo Viljoen, organiser of the clinic and former chairman of the Gauteng North Figure Skating Association, said they were happy with the turnout at the lessons on Saturday and Sunday.

“We plan to make another trip to the Lowveld soon again.”

He confirmed that this next training camp will be in November.

Fifteen potential skaters attended the training session. Christel was very happy with their level of skills and talent, especially when taking into account that none of them had received any official figure skating training. “However, there remains a lot of hard work and training for these girls.”

She confirmed that they would like to eventually have a Mpumalanga team.

The youngest pupil was four-year-old Peytin Pretorius, who seemed very confident on the ice. She bravely followed the much older girls as Christel put them through their paces.

ALSO READ: ‘n Nuwe, sierlike sport binnekort in die Laeveld

She said they are planning to create an official skating club and to register the province. This means that ice skaters will be able to receive provincial colours.

The next step will be to arrange practice times so members can practise the techniques that they learn at the training sessions. For further details visit www.yskasteel.co.za

Figure skating is a sport in which individuals, duos, or groups perform on figure skates on ice. It was the first winter sport to be included in the Olympic Games, when it was contested at the 1908 Olympics in London. The four Olympic disciplines are men’s singles, ladies’ singles, pair skating, and ice dance.