FIGURE skater Zoe Wilkinson will put a new partnership to the test when she takes to the ice at the IJS Sheffield this week.

The 36-year-old, who trains at the Link Centre, has teamed up with Christopher Boyadji ahead of the new season.

Boyadji announced the end of his partnership with Amani Fancy in January 2016 after enjoying two years as the top ranking Senior Pair Team in the UK.

Soon after, the French skater, who is now based in Swindon as well, put out a statement looking for a new partner, to which Wilkinson replied and now the duo have set their sights on making it to the world stage.

“After skating with Zoe for a few hours, I wanted to skate with her more,” said Boyadji. “I knew that as she had a family she would not be able to move, so I went to Swindon to spend a week skating with her, and to see the facilities there.

“The next week I packed up my bags and moved to Swindon where we now train together.”

Wilkinson enjoyed a successful skating career in the early 2000s, being crowned British Senior Champion in 2000 and 2001, as well as competing in European and World Championships.

However, she retired from skating in 2001 to start a family, and now has three children as well as a decade of coaching under her belt.

She made her return to the ice in 2014 because she knew her career was not over, and that she had much more to offer.

Within three months of her return, she won the ISU Adult Competition in Oberstdorf, Germany, and she placed second at the 2015 British Senior Championships.

“I have always wanted to skate pairs, and have that person alongside you for training and through the ups and downs,” said Wilkinson, who has expressed her ambition to become the British Senior Champions this season, and hope to be selected to compete at the European and World Championships in 2017.

“When I sent a message to Chris I never expected a reply, never mind to end up being his new partner.

“We are both very excited going into the new season and can’t wait to see what it brings.”

The pair will make their competition debut at the IJS Sheffield competition, with the senior pairs competition commencing on Thursday.