Surya Bonaly

Full speed energy with dare devil acrobatic skills best sums up Surya Bonaly's skating.

Surya (pronunced Sur-ee-ya) was named after the Hindu word for "Sun". She is the most revered female skater in French history. Surya was a three-time World Silver medalist and won five consecutive European Championships.

Surya is as innovative as a professional as she was an amateur. She invented the "Bonaly Spin", known for its technical difficulty as well as flexibility. It begins with Surya bending down and grabbing her non-spinning ankle, curling into a ball, then in the midpoint of the spin she lifts her leg behind her midsection with the final position in a spiral.

Surya's trademark backflip landed one one foot however is the crowd pleaser when she performs. She is the only skater to land it on one foot. That is as much a testament to her 14 years in gymnastics, the latter as a world competitior. She began skating when she was 18 months old!

The training discipline acquired in gymnastics and figure skating helped Surya to become one of the most powerful figure skaters of her time with explosive jumps.

Surya designs her own costumes and creates her own choreography. She became a U.S. Citizen in January 2004 and lives in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Personal

Name	Surya Bonaly
Born	December 15, 1973
Birthplace	Nice, France
Residence	Las Vegas, Nevada and Champigny, France
Coach	Suzanne Bonaly
Choreographer	Surya Bonaly
Hobbies	Sightseeing and movies