AN ICE skating coach from Port Glasgow has steered her students to lift Olympic gold.

Christina Molloy has been coaching Jonathan Higgins, 21, and Jennifer Gibson, 22, for a year and was thrilled when they came home from the Special Olympics Invitational Games in Ostersund Sweden as champions.

Christina, 21, of Arran Avenue, is head of Inclusive Skating at the Time Capsule in Coatbridge and works with people with learning disabilities.

She said: "Jonathan won two golds for his solo skate and pairs skate with Jennifer.

"I was crying along with his mother when he won.

"He had never beaten the skater he was up against before.

"Jennifer won bronze for her solo and gold for her pairs with Jonathan.

"They're both still on a high, they can't believe they have placed so well."

It was also a first for Christina, who has been ice skating for 12 years.

She said: "I've never been to an Olympics before.

"I'm just so happy to have the opportunity to work with these guys.

"It was amazing getting the experience of another country and their skaters as well."

Christina says ice skating offers people with learning disabilities a level playing field.

She said: "As well as showing people what they can do, it's also a bit of comfort for them.

"They can do something they enjoy with other people with disabilities.

"They are a bit more at ease and relaxed at competitions."

The next challenge for the pair is the British Championships in April.