News/Features:
The latest on Irina
'The magnificent eight'
July 26, 2007
Irina Slutskaya recently took part in a special project of Cosmopolitan, "The magnificent eight".
Beautiful, well-known, very different and very self-confident girls had pictures taken in bathing suits especially for the Cosmopolitan project. The charming star of producer centre ICE VISON Irina Slutskaya took part in this project and shared her secrets of care and love to herself. Here is what she had to say:
"Every girl may be out of condition, when she dissatisfied with her figure. It also happens with me from time to time. But I think, it doesn’t matter, the girl should like herself what she is, and doesn’t pay attention to the problem of excess weight. Though it shouldn’t neglect sports activities, in fact activities not only help to correct a figure, but also allow be always in excellent mood. And when a girl is in good mood, she will not have any problems with private life. I saw a lot of nice fatties who were simply adored by their husbands. As soon as girl becomes self-confident, starts to smile more often, tries other make-up or changes image, all problems are solved themselves. I advise to look in a mirror more often and pay compliments to yourself, and absolutely soon others also will make compliments to you. As for me, I do not have any behavior samples, I like sports trim figures. I think, that essential is an internal beauty. If a person lives in harmony with himself, he is rather nice and fine."
Irina: No retirement
Nov. 7, 2006
By the Associated Press
Hold off on that retirement party for Irina Slutskaya.
The two-time world champion figure skater said Tuesday she hasn't retired from competitive skating, dismissing a report from Russia. Though she isn't doing the Grand Prix series this season, Slutskaya said she hasn't ruled anything out, including the Russian nationals in January.
"No, I'm not finished," Slutskaya said by phone from Philadelphia, where she was in rehearsals for "Gretchen Wilson's Country on Ice" show. "If I said I'm retiring, I forgot to tell my coach."
As well as her mother and everyone else close to her.
Slutskaya was bombarded with messages after Russia's All Sport news agency quoted her Monday as saying she was quitting and considering becoming a television host.
"It is absolutely certain that I am done with competition, I will no longer take part in competitive skating," the 27-year-old Russian was quoted as saying.
But Slutskaya said it was all news to her.
"I wish to talk with the one journalist who wrote this. Maybe he doesn't like how I skate," she said. "I have no idea.
"That's something weird. It's just funny," she added. "I think the people who just don't know me, they see I'm working on TV and they need something, and they're writing 'Oh, she's on television now."'
Though Slutskaya hasn't skated in any major competitions since winning the bronze medal at the Turin Olympics, she hasn't been off the ice. She spent most of the spring and summer on tour with "Champions on Ice," and just finished a two-week skating tour in Russia.
She came back to the United States for the "Country on Ice" show Wednesday night, where skaters will perform to songs done by Wilson and her band. Slutskaya is skating to "Redneck Woman" and "9 to 5." The show will air Dec. 23 on NBC.
Slutskaya then heads back to Russia, where she will co-host the Russian version of "Skating with Celebrities" with Olympic gold medalist Evgeni Plushenko.
"I've been really busy. Really busy," she said. "I don't even stay at home more than a week. ... We will see what will be next."
Slutskaya is skipping the Grand Prix series, as are Olympic silver medalist Sasha Cohen and Michelle Kwan. But she hasn't ruled anything else out.
"You know what, I don't want to say no," she said. "I miss the (Grand Prix) series, but if I want to come back, Russian nationals are in January, so I would have time to get ready. I don't think about anything because, right now, I have so much more to do."
After winning the silver medal at the 2002 Games in Salt Lake City, Slutskaya missed most of the 2003-04 season with a heart ailment that doctors said might end her career.
But she was back to her old form by the fall of 2004, and was virtually unbeatable for the next two seasons, winning a second world title and record seventh European crown.
"I'm tired of telling people, 'Don't listen to (the rumors), listen to me,"' Slutskaya said.
Go Red For Women
Irina joins Heart
Association movement
May
1, 2006
The American Heart Association’s Go Red For Women movement proudly announces a key addition to its National Celebrity Stable – Olympic Figure Skater Irina Slutskaya. Slutskaya joins an impressive roster of women who have committed to promote awareness of women’s heart disease in 2006. The first athlete among the group, she joins an exceptional and diverse cross section of notable actors, television personalities, fashion models and authors.
Irina Slutskaya (figure skater) - Considered one of the figure skating world's most powerful female athletes, Irina has captured numerous world championship titles and Olympic medals all the while battling vasculitis. She recently won a Bronze medal at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.
“Too few people realize that heart disease is the number one killer of women, more than all forms of cancer and the next five leading causes of death combined,” said stable member Karen Duffy. “The good news is that heart disease can largely be prevented and, for that reason, Go Red for Women is evolving its campaign into a spirited movement encouraging women to improve their heart health while taking action to fight women’s heart disease.”
Celebrity Stable members will help Go Red in a variety of ways, such as participating in select Go Red functions and opportunities to raise awareness and visibility of the movement’s lifesaving mission. Several cabinet members have already begun immersing themselves in programs and services, including:
Ruby
Dee lent her distinctive voice to a television public
service announcement.
Sigourney
Weaver served as the distinguished host of “Rhapsody
in Red,” Go Red’s signature event to honor
its supporters and draw attention to the lifestyle
implications of women’s heart disease.
"Go Red For Women is grateful that so many celebrities are lending their time to advance our important women’s health mission," said Karen Murray, group president, Claiborne Menswear and Special Markets Brands, chair of the American Heart Association’s Women and Heart Disease Advisory Group. “We are truly honored that so many notable women contribute their time to support such a noble cause."
The
following individuals comprise the 2006 Go Red For
Women National Celebrity Stable:
Lorraine
Bracco (actress) - Nominated for an Oscar for her
gritty and heartfelt performance as Ray Liotta's big-spending
Mafioso wife in Goodfellas, former model Bracco has
also been Emmy-nominated for her role as Dr. Melfi
on HBO’s The Sopranos.
Rachael Leigh Cook (actress) - Rachael began her career as a print model at the age of ten for Target advertisements and she also appeared on boxes of Milk-Bone dog biscuits for medium sized dogs. She first debuted nationally when she was featured in This is Your Brain on Drugs-public service announcement. Cook has also been seen in the films, The babysitters Club, She’s All That and Josie and the Pussycats to name a few.
Karen
Duffy (spokesmodel, actress) - Duffy is a model, actress,
wife and mother of one son. She has numerous television
and film credits to her name, including MTV, Dumb
& Dumber, TV Nation and The Awful Truth. In 1995,
she was diagnosed with the relatively rare disease
sarcoidosis. After the diagnosis she continued to
model for Revlon and speaks out on a variety of women’s
health issues.
Aida Turturro (actress) - Aida can be seen in numerous feature films and HBO’s The Sopranos as Janice, her most well-known role. She has made numerous film and network television appearances, including the features Jersey Girl, Denise Calls Up and Mr. & Mrs. Smith as well as multiple episodes of Law & Order.
Jennie Garth (actress) - Having skyrocketed to stardom with her role as Kelly Taylor in Beverly Hills, 90210, Garth now stars in the hit WB series What I Like About You. Garth currently divides her time between her home in Los Angeles and ranch in Northern California, with her three loves: her husband, her daughter and her horses.
Kathy Kaehler (fitness expert) - Kaehler, currently NBC's Today show fitness expert, has served as the personal trainer to Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer, Drew Barrymore, Cindy Crawford, Alfre Woodard, Samuel L. Jackson, Penelope Ann Miller, and Claire Forlani, among many others. She writes a monthly column for Self magazine and is the fitness consultant for Sephora.com.
Debi Mazar (actress) - Mazar is known for her edgy, sharp-tongued roles in independent films and television. She began her career as a hip hop b-girl in New York City and befriended a pre-fame Madonna. She had a recurring role in the 1993-94 season of the TV drama L.A. Law and can currently be seen in the hit HBO series Entourage.
The Miami Bombshells (authors) - The Miami Bombshells weave together a tapestry of personal stories that leave other women nodding in understanding or winking in complicity. They are six real women friends who share stories and, in doing so, tap into a collective power to live stronger lives. In their best-selling book, Dish & Tell, they welcomed the public into their “sister-circle” of laughter and learning.
Andy Paige (fashion stylist) - Andy undeniably staked her claim as one of the most intriguing and provocative cast members of the hit daytime reality series Starting Over, a first-of-its-kind drama. Andy's storyline developed over 70 dynamic episodes, the results of which are seen in her current role as Starting Over’s resident makeover expert. As Owner of Cents of Style, Andy is dedicated to helping women strategically build their wardrobe for $100 or less, as well as give them tools to enhance their inner beauty and self-confidence through personal cosmetic training.
Dr. Reichman (women’s health expert) - Dr. Reichman has become a familiar face for millions of viewers of CNN, ABC, NBC, and PBS and currently serves the Medical Contributor on Women's Health for NBC’s Today. As an outspoken expert on women’s health issues, Dr. Reichman balances the demands of a thriving Los Angeles practice in gynecology, infertility, and menopause with requests for her straightforward analysis of complex medical matters on television and in print.
Hilda Santo-Tomas (interior designer, “Trading Spaces”) - Santo-Tomas says her love of design started when she was a child. As a professional designer, she embraced classic creativity and eventually opened a workroom where she could create innovative designs. Originally from Raleigh, N.C., Hilda is now based in Atlanta.
Laurie Smith (interior designer, “Trading Spaces”) - Laurie is an original cast member of Trading Spaces and is known for her love of bold and vivid colors. Her use of exquisite fabrics is reflected in her recent book, Discovering Home. She lives in Mississippi with her husband and son.
Frederique van der Wal (model) - Frederique is a Dutch fashion model, best known for gracing the pages of Sports Illustrated, Cosmopolitan and Victoria's Secret. She has appeared in several films and has her own line of clothing and fragrance. She appeared on ABC's Celebrity Mole: Hawaii, in which she was the rogue player hired by the producers to sabotage the other contestant’s game.
For detailed biographies, please visit goredforwomen.org.
Go Red for Women debuted in February 2004 with a goal to raise awareness of the risks associated with heart disease.
However,
Go Red for Women recognizes the urgency of women’s
heart disease, with one in three women in the United
States suffering from a form of cardiovascular disease.
Therefore, Go Red for Women is shifting its primary
focus from awareness to action.
For
more information about Go Red For Women or to join
the movement, please call 1-888-MY-HEART (1-888-694-3278)
or visit www.goredforwomen.org.
Irina won't defend Worlds
March 13, 2006
Defending World Champion Irina Slutskaya, of Russia, will not compete at the World Championships next week in Calgary, Canada.
"I will not go to Calgary," Irina said in a brief statement Monday.
Irina, last week, was left off the Russian roster when she did not commit to the World Championships. She apparently was thinking about reconsidering. But Monday, Irina confirmed she will not compete. She has won two world titles and a silver Olympic medal won at Salt Lake City in 2002.
Irina won the bronze medal at the Torino Olympics less than a month ago and said the disappointment to win the gold is her biggest disappointment in her skating career.
"It shattered my dream but I'm a fighter and will not give up," Irina, 27, said. "I still have my whole life in front of me."
Irina has not said whether she will continue to compete as an amateur or continue competing.
She will participate on the Champions On Ice Tour this spring and summer.
Irina gets Olympic bronze
February 23, 2006
Irina Slutskaya won the bronze medal at the XX Winter Olympics at Torino, Italy.
Irina finished third in the freeskate and finished behind Japan's Shizuka Arakawa and Sasha Cohen of the U.S., who won gold and silver, respectively.
Irina was the final skater of the event and was favored to add the Olympic gold medal to her cache of awards in a stellar career.
It's the second Olympic medal for Irina.
Irina was the first Russian woman to win a slver medal at the Olympics when she finished behind Sarah Hughes of the U.S. at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
Irina stood by the boards talking with her coach, Zhanna Gromova, before heading to center ice.
Irina started out as if she was going to pocked the gold. She landed a triple Lutz, although she left off here loop combination. She followed that with a triple Salchow-double toe-double loop.
The difficulties for Irina showed when she did a double flip-double toe instead of a triple. She then fell on a triple loop and at that instance was fighting to stay on the podium.
Irina skated to a flamenco medley by modern Canadian guitarist Jesse Cook.
The World Champion was in second place after the short program Tuesday night by the slimmest of margins, .003 points.
This year's Olympics seem a long way from her health issues that almost forced her into retirement after missing the entire 2003/2004 season. On top of that Irina's mother has a severe kidney illness.
.003 separates Irina from first
February 21, 2006
World Champion Irina Slutskaya is in second place after the short program at the XX Winter Olympics at Torino, Italy.
Irina is only .003 points behind Sasha Cohen.
Irina, the 2002 Salt Lake Games Olympic silver medalist, is the favorite to win the gold medal and thus give the Russians a sweep of all four disciplines in figure skating. That has never been accomplished in the Winter Olympics.
Irina, took the lead as the 18th of 29 skaters entered. She held the lead until Cohen, the final skater barely took away the lead.
"It's competition. I don't want to tell you what I'm thinking," Slutskaya said jokingly answering questions from the media.
Why?
"Because it's mine. ... I don't answer these questions today. Tomorrow maybe I'll tell you.
"But if I tell you, everybody will know and everybody will skate great. That's good in one way. But I don't want to share all my secrets in the Olympic games."
Irina skated to Liszt's peppy "Totentanz". Her skating was so perfectly in unison with the music that her spins matched the crescendos. Her tempo could have overhauled some speed skaters competing down the block.
Her countrymen in the crowd waved flags, shouted "ROS-SI-YA! ROS-SI-YA!" and erupted in a loud ovation for her score of 66.70 -- better than the pre-Olympic bests for every opponent except Cohen.
It was 3.28 points less than her record high.
Irina sitting with her fingers crossed, then walked off to wait and see if her marks held up.
Irina, wearing a unitard with Svarovski crystals, was the first to skate in the fourth group.
She landed all her jumps, although she opened with a huge triple Lutz but had to double the toe loop combination. Irina was scheduled to combine the Lutz with a loop.
Irina nailed her triple flip with her footwork entering the jump and then landed a clean and big double Axel.
She finished her spiral sequence and trademark Biellmann.
The end of Irina’s program featured straightline footwork and a combination spin with her Biellmann on both feet. Irina got all level 4s and 3.
Irina is the final skater in Thursday night’s finals.
Irina has good practices
February 20, 2006
World champion Irina Slutskaya practiced Monday, her next to the last, before Tuesday's short program takes place at the XX Winter Olympics at Torino, Italy.
Irina drew the 18th starting position the day before.
Her practices have been excellent and she is favored to win the gold medal. Should Irina win the ladies gold, it will give Russia a sweep of the gold medals in all figure skating disciplines at the Olympics. It would be the first time any country will have accomplished that feat.
Irina spent much of Monday's practice marking her sight lines for her jumps and spins. She disagreed with her being picked as the favorite with a deep, talented field of ladies skaters.
``Maybe somebody is thinking I'm a favorite, but it's the Olympic Games and you never know who can win because it's a competition,'' Irina said earlier this month.
Irina won the silver medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
Irina will skate 18th
February 19, 2006
World Champion Irina Slutskaya arrived Saturday in Tornio and will skate 18th among 29 women for Tuesday night's short program.
U.S. champion Sasha Cohen skates last, following Italy's Carolina Kostner. Kimmie Meissner drew the second spot in Sunday's draw, and Emily Hughes will skate 15th. Japan's Miki Ando, the 2004 junior world champion, drew the 14th spot, while former world champion Shizuka Arakawa will go 21st and Fumie Suguri skates 27th.
Slutskaya practiced on the Olympic ice for the first time Sunday afternoon.
"I'm feeling good," she said afterward. "I'm very happy to be here."
Irina's victory is 'historic';
Wins 7th European title
January 19, 2006
Irina Slutskaya always considered Katarina Witt the best skater in the world during Irina’s lifetime. Sonja Henie was the standard in figure skating before Witt.
Now, Irina is the standard after winning a record seventh title at the European Championships.
As Irina’s scores were posted she said, “Seven, seven, seven,” into TV cameras.
“Katarina Witt, for me, was the best skater in the world,” Irina said. “I never, never thought I could beat her, of course. Maybe in 10 or 20 years, somebody will beat the record and they will say, ‘Oh! You know you beat the record of Irina Slutskaya.’“
Irina shared the record with Witt and Henie coming into this week’s European Championships at Lyon, France.
Irina beat teammate Elena Sokolova for the championship. The gold medal favorite coming into the Olympics at Turin, Italy in a month, Irina scored 193.24 points to Sokolova’s 177.81 points.
The margin was all the more impressive with Sokolova setting a personal best score under the new scoring system.
“I love this pressure. It is not interesting when nobody skates well. I like it when the atmosphere is really competitive like tonight,” Irina said. The free skate was a contradiction of the short program for Irina. She was the third skater and had to wait almost five hours to see if her score held up.
A heart ailment almost ended Irina’s career when she was sidelined for most of the 2003-04 season. She is still under medication and monitored frequently by doctors.
Irina won her first European championship in 1996 as the first Russian or Soviet woman to win the first gold medal. Irina then won gold in 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2005.
Henie was dominating in her era in the 1930s. She won 10 world championships and three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932, 1936). Witt captured her European championships six times in the 1980s with four World Championships. She won back to back Olympic gold medals in 1984 and 1988.
Irina will celebrate her 27th birthday Feb. 9, 12 days before she competes in the short program at the Olympics.
“You know back then, I was just thinking this is the beginning. Now, I am thinking it may be the end,” Irina said. She competed in her first Russian national championships in 1994.
Irina’s only defeat since the 2004 World Championships was a loss in December to Japan’s Mao Asada at the Grand Prix Final.
Irina put her hand to the ice on a triple flip, one of five triple jumps she performed in the free skate. It didn’t make any difference as she easily had enough points to coast to the win.
“I made a small mistake. I don’t know why it happened. I was off balance … I was sure I could skate well. I saw all the other skaters, all the other girls skated well, and I’m pleased my second mark was better than (the short).”
Irina closing in on historic win
January 18, 2006
Irina Slutskaya is just one winning program away from overtaking Katarina Witt and Sonia Henie with her seventh gold medal at the European Championships.
Irina won the short program and has almost a six-point lead over Elena Sokolova.
Despite skating early, Irina’s score of 66.04 points held up for nearly five hours. Sokolova was second with 60.88 points. Irina was the third skater to perform.
"You know I was so upset because there was no crowd over there," Slutskaya said. "I am used to so many people in competition."
If Irina wins, the long program is today, she will break the European record she share with Witt and Henie, two of figure skating’s greatest names.
"I don't think about it. It is still a hard competition I just want to give my best. It is not the reason why I'm coming here,” Irina said.
Irina skated to “Totenttanz” by Franz Liszt. Her spins, spirals and landings were far superior to the other competitors in her routine. Irina cleanly landed a triple Lutz-double toe loop combination, a triple flip out of footwork and a double Axel.
Irina said she is hoping Michelle Kwan competes at the Olympics, if she is approved by the U.S. skating officials next week.
“I wish to see her at the Olympics, and I wish to see her on the podium,” Irina said.
Irina skipped the Russian Nationals because of illness.
“When you are in bed with high temperature, you can’t really prepare (for a competition). Maybe I rested a little bit during this time, but on the other hand I got a little off track.”
Flu sidelines Irina, picked for Europeans
December 29, 2005
World champion Irina Slutskaya was selected for Russia's team for next month's European Figure Skating Championships.
Barring injury, Irina is likely to be named to compete for Russia in the Turin Olympics. Irina won the silver medal at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics.
Irina pulled out of the national championships because of the flu.
Irina is upset at GP Final
December 17 , 2005
Irina Slutskaya performed the same program, the same elements and wore the same dress but was judged the runner-up at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Tokyo Saturday.
Mao Asada, a native of Japan, scored a total of 189.62 points to Irina’s 181.48. Asada, 15, is ineligible for the Olympics because she does not meet ISU’s mandated age eligible rule.
Irina hit six high and strong triples to flamenco music. She was bothered about her program component scores.
"In other meets I had 64, 63," she said. "Here I got 60. Same program, same dress."
Irina lost for the first time since the 2004 World Championships.
The finish didn’t disappoint Irina, who is concentrating on the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, Italy in February. "For me this competition is not really important," Irina said. "It is just another step in going to Turin."
Irina performed to a powerful program to “Totentarz” by Frank Liszt in the short program on Friday. She trailed Asada after the short.
Irina had a strong start with a triple Lutz-double loop combination and then doubled the flip, which was quite unusual for her.
“It has been a long time since I did a double flip (in the short program). I went into it OK. I didn’t feel so comfortable today, it was a very long trip and I was dizzy. All day long, I felt shaky. It’s the second day (of jet lag), and I don’t really know where I am. I feel my component score was a bit low today”, Irina said
She received a level four for her flying camel, layback and combination spin as well as for her spiral sequence.
Irina claims Cup of Russia,
is No. 1 in points total
November 27, 2005
Irina Slutskaya won the Cup of Russia Grand Prix in grand style. It was Irina’s eighth straight win, dating back to last year’s Cup of China event in the Grand Prix series.
“I skated perfectly today and made almost everything I planned,” Irina said.
Irina scored a personal best 198.06 points which also is the standard among all women in the new scoring system. She unseated Sasha Cohen by .46 points to become the No. 1 ladies skater in overall points accumulated in a competition.
Irina scored 130.48 points in the free skate and broke her personal best in that category by .38 points.
The world champion dominated the competition her homeland. Miki Ando and Yoshie Onda, both of Japan were second and third respectively. Ando was 25 points back and Onda was 55 points behind.
“It’s always difficult to skate at home in Russia, but it’s also a great pleasure,” Irina said.
Irina landed all her jumps solidly.
When she didn’t to the second part of her planned opening triple lutz-double loop combination, she performed a triple-triple-triple-double, with a rotation before the double loop.
Irina skated to “Totentanz” by Frank Listz (new arranged by Maksim Myrica) in the short program a day earlier.
Her strong performance included a triple Lutz-double loop combination, a triple flip, double Axel, a flying camel spin with changes of position and change of edge (level four) and a level four combination spin.
‘I made a little error (in the layback spin), therefore I lost some points. In general it’s difficult to compare the scores as there are always different panel of judges (in each competition),” Irina said.
After this competition there will be a lot of skaters comparing their scores to Irina’s
Irina wins Cup of China;
sets personal points total records
November 5, 2005
Irina Slutskaya won her seventh straight competition and dominated the field as defended her title at the Cup of China.
She also set new personal highs for code of points in the short and overall. So overwhelming was Irina's victory, runnerup Mao Asada of Japan was 20 points back.
Irina recorded 196.12 total points, beating her previous overall best of 130.10 recorded at the 2005 World Championships.
"I'm happy to have started so well into the season, but I still have a lot work to do in the next weeks," Irina, 26, said.
Irina skated the freeskate to a selection of Flamencos and was solid in her all her elements.
"It (the music) was my coach’s (Zhanna Gromova) idea. I love both my programs this season, and I really like all parts of the free program music. I know the composers of the last two parts. My choreographer (Sergei Petukhov) worked with me like a real Flamenco dancer, I really feel the music."
She nailed hit a triple Lutz, triple Salchow-double toeloop-double loop combination, a triple flip, triple flip-double toe combination, a triple toe-double toe, and just her triple loop was off balance.
Irina has a terrific showing with difficult spins, receiving a level four for her flying camel, layback and combination spin and a level three for her change foot combination spin.
Irina grabs lead at Cup of China;
sets personal points total in short
November 3 , 2005
Irina Slutskaya set a new personal best of 70.22 points in the short program at Cup of China. Her previous high was 65.46 points at the 2004 ISU Grand Prix Final where won gold.
She was so dominating the closest competitor, Mao Asada of Japan, is 7.30 points back. Irina, skating to Totentanz by Franz Liszt, showed flexibility and jumping skills that has made her among the favorites to win a gold medal at the 2006 Olympics.
The six-time European Champion nailed a triple Lutz-double toeloop combination, a high triple flip as well as a double Axel and produced excellent spins, receiving a level four on her flying camel spin, layback spin, change foot combination spin and also her spiral sequence.
“I’m so happy to have come back to China. This is a good place for me”, Slutskaya said. One year ago she had started her successful comeback at the Cup of China after being sidelined by illness (vasculitis) for several months. “I still can improve my program in some places."
This is the first ISU competition of the season for Irina.
Irina has been unbeaten in her last six competitions. She won all her GP events, the Russian Nationals, European and World Championship last year.
Slutskaya's comeback is golden;
wins World Championship in homeland
March 19, 2005
Irina Slutskaya found the best cure for her long road back from a heart ailment the past two years was by winning the World Championship in her home country.
Slutskaya had to miss the 2003 Worlds, placed 9th last year while still recovering from a career-threatening disease, and found enough strength to skate through three grueling programs in less than a week for her second World Championship that was held in Moscow. She also accumulated her highest score of the season, despite receiving a penalty for doing an extra triple loop.
This gold medal is probably the dearest to me in all my collection," Slutskaya said, clutching the medal as she tried to explain how she felt."
Slutskaya won her qualifying round and was first in the short and free skate to win by a comfortable margin over silver medalist Sasha Cohen. Slutskaya built her point totals in every matchup with Cohen. Slutskaya's final margin of victory was 222.71 points to 214.39 for Cohen.
She hit seven clean triple jumps, including a triple Lurz-triple loop that brought back memories of her golden days in 2000. "I really believed in myself," she said. "I felt I could do it because I was jumping great in warm-up and made great jumps throughout the training sessions.
"I felt so confident I did the extra loop. They penalized me but luckily that didn't take out too many points. I think if I didn't do it, I could have scored more points." Her routine to piano pieces by Croatian and Japanese composers scored 130.10 points.
After each program Slutskaya was breathing heavily. But her training helped endure the hard week and the crowd showed their appreciation with a standing ovation when Slutskaya finished her freeskate and was recognized as the World Champion.
Slutskaya recalled her health problems that began in November 2003.
"I would not call it a low point," Slutskaya said. "You don't have a choice. [If] you have a sickness, you have a sickness. I hope I will serve as a good role model to people who feel bad and have no faith in themselves, in case they have no faith in recovering. I hope my example will prove anything is possible and they can find a way out in any situation.
"I'm happy because it's so difficult to come back so many times, to suffer so many misfortunes," continued Slutskaya, who also missed the 2003 World Championships because her mother was ill. "Let's live to the Olympics!"
Slutskaya Wins, ties Henie and Witt
for most European titles
January 29, 2005
Irina Slutskaya made a triumphant comeback with her victory at the European Championships in Turin, Italy.
It was Irina’s sixth European championship and ties her with two all time greats: Sonja Henie and Katarina Witt.
Julia Sebestyen of Hungary finished fourth, after placing second in the short program, and Elena Sokolova of Russia dropped back to fifth after finishing fourth in the short program.
Irina’s free skate, performed in a dress, lacked some luster when she took a big lead by winning the short a day earlier. Irina did only three triples, fell once and appeared tentative. She couldn’t explain the performance. "You know, that's sport," Slutskaya said. "I'm not a robot."
Irina’s triumph came within a year of missing the entire 2003/2004 season except for Worlds with vasculitis. In October she injured her knee in practice for the present season.
Irina’s next competition is the World Championhips. She is unbeaten this season, including a victory over Michelle Kwan.
An added dimension for Irina this season is skating in trousers -- allowed this year for the first time in competitions. "I like it because it's something new for our sport," Irina said. She won the short program while skating in glittering black trousers. Irina’s routine was full of high jumps and intricate, back-bending spins. She earned extra points for every jump.
By winning, Irina gave Russian skaters a sweep of the gold medals at the European Championships.
On the eve of the competition Irina reflected on her first European Championships as a 15-year-old. Then, 10 years ago, Irina skated in a green and red folk costume who cried after missing every jump. "That was really scary!" she said, recalling her fifth-place performance.
"Now I'm older, more professional, smarter. Now I watch all the girls, they are really young, and I'm thinking, 'Oh, 10 years ago, I was the same age, and I know how it's hard.'"
Skating to Shostakovich in the short program Friday, she looked carefree. Her crisp jumping including a triple lutz-double loop combination and a huge triple flip.
Skating's new scoring system adds up the technical elements and artistry. After being tried out on the Grand Prix circuit for two years, it is being used in a major championship for the first time at the arena where the 2006 Olympics figure skating will be held.
Irina wins Gold again
January 8, 2005
Irina Slutskaya is back on top of the ladies Russian figure skating world.
Irina won the 2005 Russian National championships at St. Petersburg with an outstanding performance. She won the short and freeskate and also earned a 6.0 in presentation in the freeskate.
After almost a year away from competition due to a heart ailment, Irina won her fourth national championship and her first since 2002 – the year she won a silver medal at the Olympics and her first World Championship.
Irina didn't compete last year and finished second in 2003.
She has gotten the 2004-2005 season off to a startling start, winning all three ISU Grand Prix events, including the Grand Prix Final. Irina won the Marshalls World Cup in December and is unbeaten in the last five competitions she has entered.
Irina’s freeskate, performed to Tonci Huijic’s “Wonderland” and “Croatian Rhapsody” and Kaiko Matsui’s “Whisper from the Mirror”, earned her all 5.7s and 5.8s in technical marks with presentation scores all 5.9s.
Her perfect mark came in the short program skated to “Hooligan’s Tango” by D. Shostakovich. Irina dominated the short program and delivered a powerful freeskate to join the elite world competitors.
Irina’s next competition will be at the European Championships Jan. 25-29 at Torino, Italy, the site of the 2006 Winter Olympics.
Irina wina Grand Prix Gold
December 18, 2004
Irina Slutskaya won the Grand Prix Finals Saturday in Beijing.
Slutskaya is one year removed from an inflamed heart lining that forced her to sit out almost the entire competitive season. She frequently visited the hospital. What a difference a year makes for the Russian. “Yes,Irina Slutskaya is back,” the four-time Grand Prix champion and 2002 World Champion said.
An out-of-shape Slutskaya had to try out with the Russian Federation to compete in the World Championships last year. Despite finishing ninth, it was a turning point that inspired Slutskaya with the recovery she made coming into the competition.
Slutskaya has won three competitions this season and defeated all the contenders considered Olympic medal threats in 2006 at Turino. Slutskaya won two GP events, the final and a pro-am over Michelle Kwan and Sasha Cohen.
"I am a strong competitor and I think I can compete with all the girls, all the best girls in the world," she said.
Slutskaya landed five triple jumps, making minor mistakes on two triples, but accumulated enough points to outdistance current world champion Shizuka Arakawa of Japan who finished second.
Slutskaya now looks forward to the World Championships scheduled in Moscow, her hometown, in March. “On one hand it will be fun. But on the other side there will be a big pressure,” she said.
Slutskaya only led Arakawa by 1.36 points after the short program in which she debuted a new costume, wearing pants for the first time in competition. “Once the ISU permitted to use pants, why not?” she said with a laugh. “I like pants, and I want to keep this costume. I used a skirt in my previous events, and it’s the first time I’m using this one. I’m happy that the ISU changed the rules for clothing.”
She skated to “The Lady and the Hooligan” by Dmitri Shostakovich and nailed a triple Lutz-double toeloop combination, a triple flip and then a double Axel. The rest of Slutskaya’s program was good enough to hold up for the lead.
“I really like China. It’s my second time here and the second time I skated well. It’s a comfortable atmosphere. I beat my previous (scores). It’s not easy to be in first place, though,” Slutskaya said.
Slutskaya wins Cup of Russia
Nov. 27, 2004
Irina Slutskaya displayed a nearly perfect performance to win Cup of Russia Saturday in Moscow.
"I am very happy with my skating today, first of all because I finally managed to get together all the difficult elements I practiced for such a long time," Slutskaya said.
The Olympic silver medalist and 2002 world champion thrilled her home crowd with a triple-triple-double combination,
Slutskaya opened her program "Wonderland" with a triple lutz and followed with a combination of triple salchow-triple loop-double toe jumps. At the 2001 world championships she was the first woman to do a triple-triple-double jump in competition.
Then Slutskaya added three other triples and no misses although she scaled a planned triple-double to a double lutz-double toe loop.
The audience responded with a standing ovation.
Slutskaya, who skated the same free program as last year, received a total score of 121.90 for free skating and a total of 183.02. That was better than she did in winning in the Cup of China, her first competition this season after a knee injury in September.
Slutskaya has been hampered the past two seasons by illness and concerns about her mother's kidney disease. She missed almost all of last season, although she entered in the world championships, finishing ninth.
"I was a little bit nervous before getting to the ice," she said. "But then I told myself that last year I had been watching this competition on TV and had been so disappointed that I couldn't skate. I missed skating so much last year, and that feeling helped me to skate here."
With two victories, Slutskaya leads the standings entering the Grand Prix final in Beijing next month.
Irina wins Gold at Cup of China
November 13, 2004
Irina Slutskaya had the crowd cheering from start to finish as she returned from a long break because of illness to win the Cup of China at Beijing.
It was Slutskaya’s first Grand Prix event in over a year and first international competition since last year’s World Championships where she finished ninth. It was Slutskaya’s first win since the 2003 Europeans.
She had the crowd cheering with her array of triple jumps and acrobatic spins. Slutskaya performed triple Lutz-double loop, triple salchow-double loop-double toe, triple loop, double Lutz; triple flip and triple toe-double toe. She landed every one cleanly and did not have any deductions.
While waiting for the scores, the spectators were already cheering knowing she had won since Slutskaya also won the short program on Thursday.
“I am so happy,” Slutskaya said. “I fight with my illness and I feel pretty good right now. Slutskaya’s next competition is in Moscow at Cup of Russia scheduled November 25-28.
Irina leads short at Cup of China
November 12, 2004
Irina Slutskaya won the short program at Cup of China in Beijing. Slutskaya missed almost all of last year with a heart ailment. Her score was almost 10 points higher than runnerup Viktoria Volchkova.
Slutskaya, skating to “The Lady and the Hooligan by Dmitri Shostakovich, was awarded 62.96 points. She opened her program with a triple Lutz-double loop combination. Volchkova was second with 53.14 points.
“The technical part today wasn’t bad, although I’m not so happy with two spins that weren’t the way I can do them. But I have still time to improve them and to work on them”,Slutskaya said in a post-skate interview. “Overall it was good for the first time in competition, and I practically didn’t skate last season.”
A twisted right knee suffered in practice several weeks ago hurts enough that Slutskaya said it still hurts. She only performs the double Axel in competition.
Irina returns to competition at Cup of China
November 11, 204
Irina Slutskaya, who missed virtually all last season, is scheduled to skate in her first Grand Prix event at Cup of China in Beijing. Slutskaya missed almost two seasons of skating after winning the Olympic silver medal and World Championship in 2002.
She will debut a new short program "The Bolt" in the Thursday’s competition.
Slutskaya will also compete at the Cup of Russia November 25-28 in Moscow. If she qualifies for the Grand Prix Final Slutskaya will return to Beijing December 16-18.
Slutskaya has been helping her mother battle kidney disease and last year Slutskaya was diagnosed with vasculitis, which can cause major vascular organs to deteriorate.
Slutskaya is also coming back from a minor ligament tear she suffered recently in practice. Her coach, Zhanna Gromova, said the injury was a "micro-injury".
Slutskaya injured
October 23, 2004
Irina Slutskaya fell during practice last week and suffered a minor ligament tear.
Slutskaya’s coach, Zhanna Gromova, said the 2002 World Champion, was told by doctors not to practice for several days after her fall last Tuesday.
Gromova did not give details other than to say the fall caused a small tear that she described as a “micro-injury.”
Slutskaya’s first ISU Grand Prix competition is scheduled at the Cup of China November 11-14.
Slutskaya’s competitions the past two seasons have been limited due to illness and concerns over her mother’s kidney problems.
New Slutskaya interview
September 22, 2004
The first skating event of the season was held on Thursday and Friday at Odincovo - a so-called test skate. Even though all the leaders were present, Irina Slutskaya was most popular with the fans. The best ladies skaters in the country for sevaral years, she had to miss most of the last season due to illness, but it didn't hurt her fame - it only grew bigger. Wherever Slutskaya went, she was immedieately surrounded by fans looking for autographs. During her break, she answered some questions for Izvestia's reporter Vladimir Raush:
Q: Did you notice that audience clapped for you more than it did for the other skaters?
A: I did, and it was nice. The rink in Odincovo is like a second home for me. I trained for SLC Olympics here, and also before Worlds in Dortmund in March. A lot of friends, acquintances (Ira shouts out, "Guys, why aren't you saying hello" to two young men passing by )
Q: You looked singificantly more confident today than at the test skate before the Worlds...
A: Then, I was just recovering from the ilness. There wasn't much time left before the competition, and I was anxious. Now, it's a different situation, and I prepared for the new season practically as planned. So, I feel much more confident.
Q: Where were you training?
A: For many years, I have the same method. First, for 10 days, I train in the hills of Italy. True, for now, there wasn't enough time. After that, practices on ice start.
Q: Why did you pick Shostakovich music for you short program?
A: I wanted to find a new image before the season. My choreographer offered that music. We listened to it with Zhanna Gromova, my coach, and decided to try. As a result, I think we got an interesting program.
Q: Are you happy with how you skated?
A: I made several mistakes. I don't worry too much, there is time to fix them. Many things are forgivable at the start of the season, even though I am usually very demanding of myself.
Q: You had to miss almost entire season last year. Do you still have health problems?
A: Knock on wood. I am still taking medication and will have to take them for a long time. The love for sport and desire to skate is what's treating me mostly. Many doctors are shocked.
Q: Do you not listen to their reccommendations?
A: People in my condition get prescribed bed rest, they shouldn't be under pressure, and cold is not good for them. But figure skating is my life, I can't be without it. Everyone around me is sighing. Of course, I'm under the consant medical control. I get tested, and I regularly visit my doctor.
Q: The fight with doping in sports become much tougher now. Aren't you afraid that you might encounter some problems because of the medication?
A: I have all official papers that say that taking medicine is a life necessity for me.
Q: Life necessity? You look good...
A: With my diagnosis, a person can't be considered healthy. It's another thing that I try not to think about it and keep living as I used to. This is also kind of treatment - optimism and will power. My ilness is curable. Only it takes a lot of time, maybe several years.
Q: What is that mysterious illness?
A: Vegetative system. I don't what to get into details of that.
Q: Last year, you were actively preparing for the career of TV Host. You even attended a Young Journalists School at Ostankino. Are you still studying?
A: I had to postpone the classes due to the new season preparations, but I'm still on staff for "Channell One", where I'm going to host the sport news. I also have another little dream that has to do with my future career. I hope that soon I'll be able to announce about that dream coming true.
Irina happy to be
back in the spotlight
Isn't life wonderful?
April 25, 2004
The joy is evident in Irina Slutskaya's face as she waits to perform with the 2004 Spring Tour of Champions On Ice.
"I love skating. It is in my heart. I am so happy to be back skating again," Irina said.
There was a time when she didn't know whether she would ever hear the applause of the crowds or the scores from the judges again. She spent most of last year battling a serious heart ailment. She was diagnosed with vasculitis, which can cause major vascular organs to deteriorate. She spent many days lying in a hospital bed, picturing herself jumping and spinning on the ice.
Give up skating? Never.
"The doctors would tell me not to skate, to rest," Irina said. "I would rest for awhile, but then I would get up and just walk and walk in the park. I would walk for miles. I just couldn't stay still. And I found that the more I walked, the more energy I had and the better I felt. So I tell my doctor, and he just shrugs his shoulders and tells me to be careful."
Irina knew how serious her ailment was, but she's a fighter, and she wasn't about to give up.
"The doctors told me I couldn't skate for three months. That's when I started doing all my walking. Then one day I decided to try to skate. I could only go one time around the rink, and that took a lot of effort. But I was determined. So I go back the next day and skate around the rink one time. Then I gradually increased the number of times I could make it around the rink. That was such a difficult time. Me? Not even being able to go once around the rink without being exhausted?"
Irina kept up her regimen of adding more and more every day, and now just look at her. She's a big success of the Champions On Ice tour, although the tour also was a hurdle she had to overcome with her doctor.
"I tell my doctor that I am going to the States," Irina said. "He asked me for how long, a month? Three months I tell him. He just gives me this look like he knows I am going to do it. He just told me to take care of myself and to check in with him each week, which I do. He is very good doctor and very supportive."
Irina loves life a little more now after her scary experience in the hospital.
"I love everything. I love to skate. I love to cook. I love to shop. I just love being able to do what I want to do again."
And speaking of cooking, it is one of Irina's favorite things to do. "I don't really follow the books," she said. "I just go to the market and see things that I like and I buy a little of a lot of things. Then I bring them home and spread them out on the table. Then I start mixing them together and come up with my own dishes."
Shopping is also a lot of fun for Irina. She loves to shop in New York because "you can find anything you're looking for." She also loves to shop in Moscow, which now has malls just like in the United States. Her favorite things to shop for? Lingerie and socks.
She stays in constant contact with her mom, who also has been very ill. "I talk with her every day," she said. "She asks me if I'm taking care of myself, and I ask her the same thing. It's mostly girl talk."
Irina is taking one day at a time. She is doing fine and hasn't really planned too far in the future. She just wants to enjoy what she's doing now.
As that smile spreads across her face, she jumps up to pose for pictures.
Isn't life wonderful?
Slutskaya makes strong comeback at Worlds
March 24, 2004
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| Irina Slutskaya |
Irina Slutskaya had an emotional and satisfying return to competition when she participated in the ladies qualifying at Dortmund, Germany Wednesday.
Slutskaya finished a remarkable fifth in a strong qualifying group. All the more remarkable was Slutskaya earning technical and artistic marks up to 5.7.
She will skate her short program on Friday and free skate on Saturday.
Slutskaya has not competed this season. She was diagnosed with vasculitis, which can cause major vascular organs to deteriorate. She began to feel ill in November and was initially told by doctors that she would need to have six months off the ice with as much bed rest as possible. That wasn’t what Slutskaya had in mind for her recovery process.
“When the doctors told me I should wait six months to skate again I said, ‘Pardon me?’ Maybe a month I would stay at home but it was too hard not to do anything. I’m not saying I feel really great because I feel what I have,” Slutskaya said.
The medicine causes some side affects like weight gain and loss of stamina. “I must be very careful with the medicine because I am at a weight I compete and sometimes I can gain quickly when I take the medicine. I also feel tired much more faster and sometimes I get sick more faster.”
Slutskaya said she never thought of skipping the World Championships and just writing off the competitive season. “I found out that I can not live without figure skating. I think good skating is helping me to recover. I don’t say I feel great right now but I feel better.”
Slutskaya had to audition for the Russian federation to be added to the World team. The first tryout didn’t go well and she asked for another. The second was good enough that the federation entered her at Worlds.
Slutskaya said she is not prepared to challenge for a medal but to enjoy the return to competitive skating.
“In my career, with firsts and seconds and thirds and fourths and fifths, now for me it’s import to compete. Of course I wish to have a medal, but I understand this is life and my sport. I try to do my best, if something happens, I am a professional sportsman and I can win or lose and I know what it is like on both sides.”
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| Irina is among the MCE skaters featured in the 2004 Blades On Ice Calendar. SEE MORE |
March 21, 2004
Slutskaya to be on "Good Morning America"
Irina will appear on ABC's "Good Morning America" Tuesday, March 23. The interview will be live from the World Championships in Germany and is scheduled to air in the 8 a.m. segment.
March 13, 2004
Slutskaya will compete at Worlds
Former World Champion Irina Slutskaya will compete for Russia in the World Championships beginning with the ladies qualifying round March 24 at Dortmund, Germany.
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| Irina Slutskaya |
Slutskaya convinced the Russian Federation in a tryout this week that she was physically fit to compete. She has not competed this season except for a pro-am event last fall. After that Slutskaya went home where she underwent extensive tests to diagnose her condition.
She was hospitalized with pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac around the heart; chronic asthmatic bronchitis; and pneumonia.
Slutskaya will not be 100 percent at Worlds. She is still undergoing treatment for her condition. The medication Slutskaya takes because of her condition has been approved by the ISU.
The Russian Federation allowed Slutskaya an opportunity to try out for the national team when she withdrew from the Russian Nationals.
“She’s not competed in a long time and feels nervous. But Irina is really happy to be skating again. Skating makes her happy and she enjoys training,” Ari Zakarian, her agent, said. “She is competing again and skating is a big part of her life, and she wants to continue skating.”
It’s been a long road back from being hospitalized throughout the summer and being kept off the ice until earlier this year. When Slutskaya was first told of her diagnosis, she thought her skating career was over. But a structured rehabilitation program has enabled Slutskaya to continue pursuing her goal of competing in the 2006 Olympics in Turino, Italy.
Doctors gave Slutskaya permission to resume competitive training in mid January. “Irina doesn’t expect to win, but she is very happy that she will be competing again,” Zakarian said.
Slutskaya has earned three Silver Medals and a Bronze along with her Gold in World Championship competition.
She is scheduled to skate on the Champions On Ice Tour when it begins in April.
Slutskaya hopes to be ready for Worlds
January 13, 2004
Irina Slutskaya, who skipped the Russian Nationals to continue to get in skate to resume competition, said she plans to skate at the March World Championships.
Slutskaya, who has not competed this season due to heart problems and other ailments, will not compete at next month's European Championships. She is practicing and is still taking medication for an inflamed sac around her heart.
Ari Zakarian, Slutskaya's agent told the Associated Press in Moscow on Tuesday, "(Irina) hopes to show the (Russian) federation she is healthy enough to skate at worlds. Irina never planned to skate at the Russian championships, and she is not ready to compete at Europeans.'' Slutskaya, the 2002 world champion, was hospitalized for much of last summer with pneumonia, chronic asthmatic bronchitis and the heart problems.
Slutskaya, second at the 2002 Olympics to Sarah Hughes, will need permission from the Russian figure skating federation to be placed on the world team. Those world championships are at the end of March in Dortmund, Germany.
Slutskaya resumes training;
heart illness sidelined star
October 26, 2003
Irina Slutskaya has been sidelined with a heart problem since summer but
is scheduled to resume her skating career in several weeks.
The former World Champion from Russian was hospitalized with pericarditis, an inflammation of the sac around the heart; chronic asthmatic bronchitis; and pneumonia. Doctors said the cause of the heart problem was not known.
"She was coughing and had a fever and took medication at home," her agent, Ari Zakarian. "But the illness continued and she went to a hospital and was told she had to stay there because of the heart problem."
Slutskaya told Zakarian she feared she would never skate competitively again. The 2002 Olympic silver medalist "was devastated," Zakarian said. "She said, `This is it. I'm done.' "
It took two months for Slutskaya to get doctor’s approval to begin training on September 20. She plans to compete in the Cup of Russia (November 19-23) and NHK Trophy in Japan, two Grand Prix events, a week later.
Zakarian said Slutskaya was "a little weak and off-balance," at first but by her second day on ice she was practicing triple jumps. Slutskaya is now practicing all her elements and going through her program run throughs. Slutskaya had to withdraw from the World Championships in March to be
home with her mother, who has a kidney illness. Her mother continues three days a week dialysis treatment and is on a waiting list for a kidney transplant.
