SWINDON duo Zoe Jones and Christopher Boyadji are looking forward to testing themselves at the World Figure Skating Championships in Helsinki this week.

The pair, who have been competing together since June last year, haven’t had the smoothest of journeys to Finland despite qualifying for the competition back in January.

Funding was the biggest problem facing them both, but a surprise donation by former England international goalkeeper David Seaman helped them reach their £20,000 target.

While they knew they had done enough to qualify, Jones didn’t think she would ever have the chance to compete at this level again.

The 36-year-old last competed at a World Championships in 2001 and is looking forward to trying out a new element when they step onto the ice in the pairs this week.

“It was our goal to try and get to the World Championships so the fact that we put out a good skate at the European Championships it will finish our season off,” said Jones, who lives in North Swindon.

“We aren’t really going with huge expectations as we haven’t been a pair for a year yet so we are going out and do as well as we can.

“We have a new element in the short (programme). We have been doing double twists all season so in the last few weeks we have been making it a triple.

“It’s an extra rotation and a huge element for a pair who have only been together for as long as we have.

“It makes the programme a little bit more stressful and is the hardest thing I have had to learn as a pairs skater.

“We’ve improved immensely. It’s amazing to be able to be in this situation, I never thought I would be in this situation. It’s a big achievement in itself to be there.”

Her partner, Boyadji reiterated that there is no pressure on them to place at the Championships, which start with the pairs short programme tomorrow evening, and that they need to enjoy the experience while they can. “I expect us to put in a very good performance.

“We aren’t thinking anything about ranking or placing, especially as this is the first time there will be 29 pairs at the Championships,” added Frenchman Boyadji.

“In a certain way we have nothing to lose, we will just go, do our best and whatever happens, happens.

“It’s actually quite relaxing. We will see.”