Skater’s new roll

10:12am Monday 26th March 2007

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A BRITISH Olympic ice-skater is swapping his blades for rollerskates to help others follow in his successful footsteps.

Vitaliy Baranov, who together with his wife Marika Humphries, represented the UK in the 2002 Olympics at Salt Lake City, has taken up a position to coach rollerskaters with Red Rose Rollerskating at Sharples Sport Centre.

Vitaliy, aged 32, who has been starring in Ice Show at Blackpool, said: "I have never rollerskated before but the principals are the same as ice-skating.

"Rollerskating is harder than ice-skating because the blades keep you balanced. At the moment I am observing the students and making mental notes on how best to teach them. But there are some really talented skaters who have skills which professional ice-skaters would want."

His wife, who appeared in the first series of ITV's Dancing on Ice when she partnered Sean Wilson, who played Martin Platt in Coronation Street, will also take a class in the coming weeks.

Vitaliy accepted the post after being approached by rollerskating instructor Paula Callaghan. The two met through his ice-skating classes in North Wales.

After an initial shaky start while trying to get used to his rollerskates, Vitaliy was up and mingling with the rollerskaters - aged from 19 months to 60 and over.

Paula said: "Hopefully the students will do even better with the help of Vitaliy and some our roller-skaters will then go on to the British Championships."

Vitaliy said: "Since Dancing on Ice appeared on television there has been a lot more interest in skating, both roller and ice."

Danielle Thorpe, aged 23, from Audenshaw, said: "I have been rollerskating for 12 years and would like to turn professional. Some of us are looking to take part in the British Championships and go on to the European Championships.

"It is great having Vitaliy here to coach us, he is said to be the best. I am looking forward to picking up new steps and choreography routines."

Isabelle Lowe, aged 10, from Bolton, said: "I have been skating for a year and would love to go through to the Olympics."

Red Rose Rollerskating hold two sessions every Saturday, a morning class at Turton Leisure Centre for beginners and an advanced class at Sharples Sport Centre.