Skating stars give master class on Red Square

Every year kids and teens from all Russia gather in Moscow to take part in the New Year Festival at the Kremlin. This year they had a unique opportunity to skate right on the Red Square and get a master class from world champions.

The legendary Russia trainer Tatiana Tarasova herself directed the ice performance. Together with skating champions Ilya Averbukh, Tatiana Navka, Roman Kostomarov, and Irina Slutskaya, she gave a master class.

Some pupils didn't succeed, some had to crawl out of the rink at first, but soon they looked almost like professionals.

Among those present hardly anyone guessed what other celebrity they were to meet. President Putin came to wish them Happy New Year. He was soon surrounded by the crowd, asking for pictures and even giving him presents.

Adults took the chance to discuss their professional problems. Ms Tarasova managed to persuade the president to build a figure skating rink. She didn't expect him to concede so soon, and could not check her joy, crying happily, “Hurrah!”

“Hockey has taken over all the rinks,” complained the famous trainer. “It's easier for them to rent a rink, they have big teams,” replied Ilya Averbuch. “We usually have a few pupils, we simply cannot afford that.”

Meanwhile their newly-taught pupils were sliding carelessly about the rink on Red Square. Kids, who had from Samara, Veliky Novgorod, the Urals, Buryatiya, were obviously enjoying the moment. They are sure to remember this day for the rest of their lives.