New Zealand coaches on top of the world 24 November 2004 Coaches Jill Borland and Darryn Ward Photo: supplied Over her 18-year coaching career, Jill Borland has taught figure skaters in Gore, Alexandra, Dunedin, and Christchurch. Now she's heading to the Himalayas to teach the skaters of Ladakh. Jill and partner Darryn Ward, an ice hockey coach of national and international representatives, are preparing to leave Christchurch for the remote region of India to facilitate a five week development clinic for figure skating and ice hockey. Jill and Darryn will travel to Ladakh at the invitation of the local Ladakhi government and ice sports enthusiasts. They plan to coach up to 200 skaters, including the Indian national figure skating champion, on the region's frozen waterways. Bordered by the Himalayan mountains, Ladakh, at 3500 metres above sea level, is so remote and isolated that ice skates are difficult to come by. Jill explains that the the children take turns sharing skates and skating times and that many skate in army boots with blades riveted on the bottom. The Indian national champion lives in the region and reportedly skates at the New Zealand juvenile or pre-primary level. She does not have a programme to music and dreams of having her very own skating dress. How you can help the skaters of Ladakh Please contact Jill at or by phone/fax on 03-337-1426 if you can help with donations of: figure or hockey skates (any condition), old skate guards, old figure skating dresses, old hockey gear, NZ memorabilia, or contributions toward the cost of shipping. Ladakh's high-altitude environment will present other challenges for the two coaches. The couple have been told to expect altitude sickness for the first few days after arriving, but with temperatures ranging from -5 to -30 degrees that's not their only concern. Ladakh's figure skaters will get one of New Zealand's most experienced figure skating coaches. Jill was a New Zealand grade champion when she skated for Gore. Over her coaching career, her students have won many national titles and a few have gone on to Junior Worlds. Jill and Darryn will be hosted by the Ladakhi people during their stay in lieu of any payment. In a letter to the NZISA, Jill explained, "It will be an honour and a privilege to be in a position where New Zealand can take a lead in the development of the skating world and to help establish the foundations of ice sports in another country." A festival in Ladakh Photo: supplied The couple would like to secure donations of unwanted figure or hockey skates and other skating equipment such as hockey gear, old skate guards, figure skating dresses and even NZ memorabilia to take as gifts from New Zealand to the skaters of Ladakh. Jill hopes that New Zealand skaters will be able to assist her and Darryn in promoting skating at the very top of the world. Skaters wishing to make a donation of equipment (in any condition) or a contribution toward the cost of shipping these items should contact Jill at or by phone/fax on 03-337-1426.