site.btaVyara Yaneva Wins Bronze in Figure Skating Competition during Special Olympics World Winter Games

Vyara Yaneva placed third in a hotly contested Mixed Division Level 4 event in the figure skating competition during the Special Olympics World Winter Games in Turin.

The Bulgarian performed two routines, one in the short programme (March 12) and the other in the free skate programme (March 14). Her opponents were Tomoaki Seki of Japan and Sze Hou Ho of Hong Kong.

A visibly excited Yaneva commented after the event, as quoted by Special Olympics Bulgaria: "I am pleased with my performance on the ice. It is the best I am capable of. The music for my free skate routine is French, it is about the Seine, and therefore my outfit was blue, to highlight the beauty of the river. The routine was inspired entirely by the Seine. I want to thank my family, especially my mom, who supports me in my training."

Special Olympics Bulgaria figure skating coach Milena Dimitrova said: "I think it was a successful performance, the more so because Vyara was representing Bulgaria for the first time in this sport at Special Olympics World Winter Games." According to the coach, Yaneva showed her best. "It was a challenge that her opponents were younger, which basically gave them an advantage in the jumps and the spins."

Dimitrova went on to explain that, according to the Special Olympics rules, if there are fewer than three entrants in a division, they should be moved to a higher level, for which they are not well prepared. "The mixed group gave everyone the chance to enjoy fully their participation in the competition," she added.

Dimitrova is Yaneva's personal coach at the Elit Figure Skating Club in Sofia. Yaneva has been practicing for six years. She said she is not a speedy skater, she prefers to listen to the music. This sport is like flying, she said. "I am thankful and proud of my performance at the Games."

This was the first time that Bulgaria participated in the figure skating competition of the Special Olympics World Winter Games.