SWINDON figure skating duo Zoe Jones and Christopher Boyadji finished 14th at January's European Championships and clinched qualification for the coming World Championships as a result.

The pair entered the competition in the Czech Republic with one eye on qualification for the world s, and with a final score of 143.42 points, they did enough to book their place in Helsinki next month.

This was the first time the couple had competed at an international event together, while it was also the first time Jones had skated at this level for 17 years.

But the 37-year-old was pleasantly surprised with the reaction she and partner Boyadji got in Ostrava.

“It was amazing, we had so much love from the crowd and the skaters. I was going in there maybe 10 or 20 years older than the others,” said Jones.

“You don’t know how they are going to react to you but all of the skaters came up to me and said they admired me.

“I don’t think there is another mother out there doing this at this level, so it was amazing. I don’t think I’ve ever given so many autographs.”

Whilst completing one of their routines, Boyadji had a problem with his costume which meant his shirt burst open, but Jones says that didn’t get in the way of their performance.

With their sights now set on the World Figure Skating Championships at the end of March, the couple are also now on the lookout for sponsors to help cover costs.

“We would have done internationals but when you go to the European Championships, it is such a huge step-up again,” added Jones.

“We did a really good short programme where we placed 12th. Chris had a bit of an accident with his costume and he got a lot of attention over that.

“His shirt and my age were the big topics of conversation on that day of the competition.”

Coach Mark Naylor joined them at the European Championships and said there was a marked improvement in the couple, who continue to surpass expectation.

Naylor, who has been working with the couple since last June, said: “It was one of those wonderful moments where one specific elements they were working on improved when they were physically out there.

“Each event we have done, I have seen improvement, whether that it consistency or comfort, but it is always good to see improvement.”