Ice

Nadya Lapshina grows up in Irkutsk with a humble dream of becoming a figure skater. She struggles with coordination and balance, which makes it hard for her to shine at early trials. The renowned coach Irina Sergeyevna Shatalina refuses to take her on, despite Nadya's mother's persistent faith in her potential.

Nadya moves in with her aunt Margosha, who sells bananas and does what she can to support her. Margosha loves her niece but doesn't share their late sister's belief in Nadya's talent. Nadya remains determined to prove the coach wrong and pursue skating.

At the local sports palace, Nadya enters the boarding school to learn the basics of figure skating. Initially progress is slow and setbacks are frequent, but her perseverance helps her climb to the top of her group. She becomes the best student there, earning Irina Shatalina's attention and a path to national competitions.

Nadya is nominated to represent in children's figure competitions held across the country. Another girl sabotages her by blunting her skates, attempting to ruin her routine. Despite skating on dull blades, Nadya completes the program and advances, proving resilience under pressure.

Over the years, Nadya matures into one of the country's most famous skaters. Irina nominates her for the big leagues, insisting she deserves to compete at a higher level, and reveals that Nadya's mother had misled them earlier. Nadya accepts the challenge and prepares for a national leap forward.

She is invited to partner with Vladimir 'Vova' Leonov and move toward the big leagues. At first, Nadya hesitates to leave her beloved coach, but Irina, seeing Nadya as a daughter, persuades her to take the opportunity. The partnership marks the beginning of a high-profile chapter in her career.

Nadya and Vova begin performing together and their chemistry grows on the ice. They train intensely and Nadya slowly opens up to the idea of advancing in the sport. The dynamic between them also hints at a budding romance as success follows their routines.

During a major performance, Vova accidentally drops Nadya and she sustains a severe back injury, breaking her spine and becoming disabled. The injury shatters her world, and she withdraws into depression, unable to cope with the new limits. The path she had imagined for herself seems permanently closed.

In the capital, Nadya fails to recover fully and returns to her aunt and uncle, who is confined to a wheelchair. She sinks into isolation as she confronts the possibility of a life without skating. Irina Shatalina learns of Nadya's troubles and decides to help.

Irina proposes a deal: she will help Nadya rebuild her spirit if she can recruit Sasha Gorin, a suspended hockey striker, to support the plan. Sasha initially pretends to help but tries to manipulate Nadya by feigning pity and showcasing his own interests. Irina swiftly exposes his opportunistic behavior and puts him on a proper path.

Sasha proves to be a tough but effective coach, pushing Nadya with brutal methods to unlock movement. The two begin physiotherapy and gym sessions that gradually restore sensation in her legs and rebuild muscle. Bit by bit, Nadya regains balance, strength, and the ability to stand and walk again.

With her body returning, Nadya asks Sasha to be her partner on the comeback number, combining skating with a hint of his hockey background. They hone a performance that feels like a bridge between two worlds. The routine is warmly received and marks a turning point in her story.

Vova refuses to accept Nadya's comeback and tries to derail her, asserting his control over her career. Nadya confronts him, while Sasha rushes from Moscow to support her on stage. The music refuses to start again, but the audience begins singing, and Nadya and Sasha finish the duet to a shared moment of triumph.

Although they are technically disqualified, Nadya and Sasha feel victorious to be together on the ice and in life. The final image suggests a future built on mutual support, love, and a shared passion for skating.