Profile of the Month
June
Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze
Elena: Anton:
Born: October 11, 1977 Born: October 25, 1976
Birthplace: Nevinnomissk, Russia Birthplace: St. Petersburg, Russia
Height: 5' 1" Height: 5' 11"
Training Town: St. Petersburg, Russia and Hackensack, New Jersey
Skating Club: Yubileny Sport Club
Coach: Tamara Moskvina
Choreographers: Igor Bobrin and Tamara Moskvina
Elena started skating when she was 6 years old. Elena and her former partner, Oleg Shliakhov, finished in 8th place at the 1994 Winter Olympic Games. Elena and Oleg became well known in the skating community for their power, speed, and impressive tricks. While Elena and Oleg were skating together, Oleg was physically abusive. Elena never spoke of the abuse because she was to frightened. On January 9th, 1996, while practicing side-by-side camel spins Oleg's skate blade sliced into Elena's head. She was rushed to the hospital and two surgeries were preformed to remove pieces of bone form her brain. Doctors weren't sure if she'd be able to skate or even speak again.
Anton began skating when he was 6 years old. He was paired with Maria Petrova and they won many competitions. After a coaching dispute Anton and Maria's partnership ended.
In 1995 Elena and Oleg trained in the same rink as Anton and Maria. Elena and Anton became close friends. When Anton heard about Elena's injury he rushed to the hospital to be with her. After Elena recovered from her injury she and Anton began skating together. Less than a year after Elena's accident, she and Anton entered their first competition and took home the bronze medal.
They have since become World Champions twice. At the 1998 Winter Olympic Games they took home the silver medal and at the 2002 Winter Olympic Games they won the gold.
Competitive History:
2002-2003:
2002 Top Jump - 3rd
2001 -2002:
Goodwill Games - 1st
Trophee Lalique - 1st
Cup of Russia - 1st
2002 Grand Prix Final - 2nd
2002 Russian National Championships - 1st
2002 Winter Olympic Games - 1st
2000-2001:
Masters of Figure Skating - 1st
Skate Canada - 2nd
Cup of Russia - 1st
Trophee Lalique - 1st
2001 Russian National Championships - 1st
Japan Open - 1st
2001 European Championships - 1st
2001 Grand Prix Final - 2nd
2001 World Championships - 2nd
1999-2000:
Keri Lotion Classic - 1st
Skate America - 3rd
Skate Canada - 1st
Canadian Open - 1st
2000 Russian National Championships - 1st
2000 Grand Prix Final - 3rd
1998-1999:
Skate America - 1st
Masters of Figure Skating - 1st
Cup of Russia - 1st
NHK Trophy - 1st
1999 Russian National Championships - 1st
Japan Open - 1st
1999 Grand Prix Final - 2nd
1999 World Championships - 1st
1999 Hershey Kisses Challenge - 1st
1997-1998:
Sparkassen (Nations) Cup - 2nd
Trophee Lalique - 1st
1998 Russian National Championships - 2nd
1998 Grand Prix Final - 1st
1998 European Championships - 1st
1998 Winter Olympic Games - 2nd
1998 World Championships - 1st
Ultimate Four - 1st
Goodwill Games - 1st
1996-1997:
Trophee Lalique - 3rd
Cup of Russia - 5th
1997 Russian National Championships - 2nd
1997 European Championships - 3rd
1997 World Championships - 9th
Photo Copyright to Andrea "Hoo" Chempinski
