The National Ice Centre is hosting a special public skating event on Saturday 8 April (10am – 12:30pm) as Stef Reid MBE unveils her most recent portrait image taken by celebrity photographer, Sane Seven.
The event will show the Behind the Scenes project video as skaters arrive with the final image being shown on the venue screens during the public skating session. Stef will also be at the event to meet and greet with skaters.
Stef is a below-knee amputee, who is a World Champion, triple Paralympic medallist, and five-time world record holder. She took on a daring ice challenge at the National Ice Centre recently where over several hours, she was asked to do a difficult split between two barbells placed on ice without the support of her hands. This was photographed by Sane Seven and now Stef will return to the location where this incredible photo was captured to showcase the image at the venue.
As Stef said,
“Not many photographers would ask someone with a disability to do such a physical and dangerous shoot. Even on the shoot day, when I slipped from the bars but managed to grab on before cracking my head on the ice, she still knew I would figure it out.”
Sane Seven is an award-winning female photographer focusing on gender equality and diversity. She has gained international recognition for her portraits of women that evoke vulnerability and tenderness together with strength and tenacity. Known for her unique and visually stunning photography, wanted to showcase Stef’s strength, grace and determination in a truly unforgettable way.
As Stef reflected on the final image, she said,
“The first thing is what the image says about how Sane sees ‘disabled’ bodies. You have to look quite closely to even realize that I have an artificial leg. It’s not the focal point of the shoot. The image says yes, your disability is interesting, but it’s not the most interesting thing about you. It says yes, your disability is a part of you, but it’s not your identity”.
After her appearance on ITV’s Dancing On Ice in 2022, Stef signed up to the British Ice Skating Test programme. She regularly skates at the National Ice Centre and is the first lower leg amputee to take part in the British Ice Skating scheme. The National Ice Centre along with British Ice Skating is using this amazing project as an opportunity to highlight the drive to see beyond disability in ice skating and encourage more people to come and give the sport a go.
Abi Dutton, Senior Marketing Executive at the National Ice Centre said:
“We were very excited to be able to facilitate such an extraordinary photo shoot at the National Ice Centre. Stef regularly trains at the venue and she’s such an inspiring athlete. The final image looks absolutely incredible and we can’t wait to host this very special session in April!”
Tickets to the session can be booked now via the National Ice Centre’s website: https://www.national-ice-centre.com/whats-on/stef-reid-event/
Posted on 28 March 2023
