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The latest on Viktor

VIKTOR PETRENKO & JOHNNY WEIR
TO HEADLINE THE GOLDEN ICE OF STRADIVARI

Olympic Champion, Viktor Petrenko and his World Bronze Medalist student, Johnny Weir will tour together in the Golden Ice of Stradivari in Slovakia & Czech Republic.  The tour starts on April 15 in Bratislava and will end in Prague a week later. Petrenko & Weir will join the cast including , Evgeni Plushenko, Irina Slutskaya, Surya Bonaly and Czech's Thomas Verner.

Viktor completes
18 years with COI, and
he's still a major star

May 8, 2005

Olympic Champion Viktor Petrenko just completed his 18th year with the Champions On Ice Tour. That’s right, 18 years after winning the Gold Medal, there is no slowing down for him.

“I’m holding the tour record so far,” he said. He has no plans to stop touring.

He’s still one of the crowd-pleasers on the tour, and each year shows a different side of him -- sometimes funny, sometimes serious, sometimes sexy. On the latest tour, he took on the persona of a Broadway dancer, compete with tux, cane and hat.

“I like to try new things, see how the audiences react,” he said. “You have to keep pushing yourself, keep growing as a skater.”

Viktor is also taking on another role he said several years he never would: coaching.

“Yes, I’ve been coaching a little,” he laughed, after being reminded that he vowed it was something he would never do. “I should say I’m learning how to be a coach. I teach beginners up to the high level. I hope I’m learning to be a good coach, one my students will trust.”

Making a move

He and his wife, Nina, a coach and choreographer, and 7-year-old daughter, Victoria, who is also a skater, have moved to a new ice rink in Wayne, N.J.
‘It was time for a change,” he said.

Viktor, because of his expertise, a/o serves as a technical specialist at competitions. “The old system no longer worked,” he said. “I know skating. I have been in it for more than 30 years. To be a technical specialist, you have to attend seminars and pass an exam. He was a technical specialist at four events this season, including the World Championships. The specialist calls out the jumps as they are performed on the ice. There are computers that the specialists use so they can freeze any part of the jump to make sure it was completed or two-footed.

“We call exactly what is happening on the ice,” he said. “We call jumps, revolutions, spins, report how difficult they are while the judges look at the quality of the skating. We can review any and all elements. We have one to two minutes to review elements.”

Through all the years of competing and touring, Viktor has managed to stay well enough to keep going. “Although I don’t know any athlete who hasn’t had injuries, you have to stay prepared. Don’t overuse your body. You have to push it and take risks, but your body will tell you when you’re overdoing it. You have to listen to your body.”

The Olympics

Viktor says his most memorable Olympics was not the one where he won the Gold Medal, but his first Olympics.

“I came to compete, but I had never been to the Olympics before. You get to meet all the athletes from your country, not just the ice skaters. You are all sharing the same space. You see different sports every day. That was an atmosphere I had never experienced before. The first one, there wasn’t a lot a pressure, because I really wasn’t considered a contender. But when you’re in contention for a medal, everything becomes different.”

Viktor says all skaters dream of stepping on that Olympic podium some day and being called an Olympic champion.

“It was my dream since I was 14,” he said. After I won the Junior World Championships, I began to believe that I could reach the very top.
Winning Olympic Gold involves a bit of luck, a lot of work and some tears. “You have to be your very best at exactly that moment,” he said.

He keeps his medal at home in his library. And looks at it now and then.

Viktor, who is from the Odessa, Ukraine, remembers returning home from the Olympics after winning Gold. “My whole city stood up and cheered. It was a very special moment.”

He has adjusted well to life in the United States. He came in 1992 and his family came in 1994. It was a smooth transition, he said.

He loves being close to New York. “It’s a great city,” he said. “There is so much in the city to educate you.”

Viktor helping train young skaters

Olympic Gold Medalist Viktor Petrenko is helping train young skaters from around the world who are spending the summer at the Ice Vault in Wayne, N.J.

READ MORE

Viktor to participate in Skate-Aid

January 31, 2005

Olympic gold medalist Viktor Petrenko will join other international figure skating champions on Feb. 4 in the Detroit area to host Skate-Aid for Tsunami Relief, a benefit show to raise money for tsunami victims and families in Asia.

Among the star-studded skaters are U.S. champions Johnny Wire, U.S. ice dancing champions Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto; Olympic bronze medalist Timothy Goebel, five-time U.S. ice dancing champions Elizabeth Punsalan and Jerod Swallow and Amber Corwin, who finished fourth at this year’s U.S. Nationals.

The show will run from 7-9:30 p.m. at the Compuware Sports Arena in Plymouth, Mich. Tickets are $15 for children, $20 for adults and a limited number of premier tickets are available for $100, including front-row seating and admission to a post-show reception party with the stars.

Tickets are available through the Compuware Sports Arena Box Office or by calling 734-453-6400.

All proceeds will go to the Red Cross International Response Fun earmarked to support tsunami relief efforts.

“Many organizations have already demonstrated willingness to do whatever they can to help make a difference with this tragic situation,” said Merrie Parr, event coordinator.

Viktor becomes ISU Technical Specialist;
Will share ice with daughter in exhibition

Oct. 12, 2004

Viktor Petrenko has earned one of the most valuable roles in judging by being selected as a Technical Specialist by the International Skating Union.

The former Olympic, World and European gold medalist just returned from Kiev, Ukraine where he judged the ladies Junior Grand Prix competition.

It’s quite a change for the former competitor and skater for Champions On Ice. “I am really enjoying this work. I trained under the new system and learned a lot,” Petrenko said. “I wanted to stay active in sports, besides just skating. I think a skater wants a very fair and accurate judge. I am looking forward to the next competition.”

Petrenko will judge two senior Grand Prix events. His first assignment is at Skate Canada at Halifax, Canada, Oct. 28-31 and he will be at Cup of Russia in Moscow, Nov. 25-28. He is also scheduled to be at the World Championships in Moscow March 14-20, 2005.

Petrenko had to complete an ISU seminar and successfully pass an examination.

A Technical Specialist, according to ISU rules:

1) Identifies and calls the performed elements;
2) Identifies and calls correct Levels of Difficulty of the performed elements;
3) Identifies illegal elements;
4) Identifies the innovative element bonus;
5) Identifies and deletes additional elements;
6) A second Technical Specialist (Assistant) and the Technical Controller are positioned adjacent to the main Technical Specialist.
The second Technical Specialist will step in only in case of emergency. His advice, however, is asked in case of discrepancy.
7. The calls of the Technical Specialist are supervised and corrected (if necessary) by the Technical Controller, however if both Technical Specialists disagree with corrections, their initial decision stays.

Petrenko’s next skating appearance will be the Body Zone Ice Shows in Pennsylvania. He will share the spotlight with his 7-year-old daughter, Viktoria, who will also perform in the show.

“Vika has been skating very well and I am very proud of her,” Petrenko said.

He will also be performing on the Fantasy On Ice tour in Europe in November.

March 18 , 2004

Petrenko on "Today"

Viktor will appear on NBC's "Today" show Friday, March 19, to promote Champions On Ice.

Petrenko honored at the United Nations

February 19, 2004

The International Union of Chornobyl honored Viktor Petrenko at the United Nations. Gleb Malyutin, the President of the Union, awarded Petrenko a diploma for his contribution to the Chornobyl effort and he also was honored for the success of Viktory For Kids.

“I am very proud that Viktory For Kids was able to make a difference in some of the lives of Ukrainian children. I am especially thankful to all my fellow skaters who contributed their time and effort,” Petrenko said.

Earlier this month Petrenko received a letter from the Regional Children’s Clinical Hospital in Odessa, Ukraine, thanking him for the contributions of Children of Chornobyl. The letter states that over the period of 2001—2003, with the help of Viktor Petrenko and the Champions On Ice Figure Skaters, 852 children have received life saving treatment.

In 2001 there were 297 children who were treated and 42 percent of infants in the hospital were treated by the artificial ventilation (technology purchased by Viktory for Kids funds).

In 2002 there were 261 children treated and 40 percent of the infants in the hospital were treated by artificial ventilation.

In 2003 there were 294 children treated and 47.5 percent were treated by the artificial ventilation.

“I am so glad to see the positive result of Viktory For Kids, and I am so thankful to all the skaters and people who contributed to the show. It makes me very proud that we were able to help save lives of the children of Ukraine. Thanks again to everybody.”

Viktor and his cast raise $135,000 for charity

It was a night to remember from a small suburban town in Western Connecticut to a clinic for children in Odessa, Ukraine. World & Olympic Champion Viktor Petrenko and his all-star cast of National, World and Olympic skating champions raised more than $135,000 in donations and medical care equipment in Petrenko’s, “WESTERN UNION VIKTORY 4 KIDS” charity skating show. Read More.

Viktory for Kids

Olympic Champion, Viktor Petrenko will host an all-star cast of Olympic Figure Skaters in a charity skating gala, VIKTORY FOR KIDS, to benefit children who are still being affected by the 1986 nuclear explosion in Chornobyl, Ukraine. Read More.

Viktor receives leadership award

Viktor (top photo) received an award from the CHILDREN OF CHORNOBYL RELIEF FUND on Sunday, May 18, at the Ukrainian National Home in Hartford, CT. The presentation is being made by CRF co-founder and member of the board, Nadia Matkiwsky. Viktor was recognized for outstanding leadership for the VIKTORY FOR KIDS BENEFIT. Viktor was joined by Kostyantin Gryshchenko, Ambassador of Ukraine and Serhiy Pohorelstev, the Counsel General of Ukraine to the United Nations.In group photo, Viktor and wife, Nina, at right, pose with, from the left, award-winning photo-journalist Joseph Sywenkyj, Svitlana Pohoreltsev, Connecticut State Sen. John Fonfara, Elena Grushina, and Consul-General Pohoreltsev.

Viktor in Sun Valley Ice Show

Viktor Petrenko will be skating in the Sun Valley Ice Show on Saturday, August 16th in Sun Valley, Idaho.

Viktor changes moods with "Flight"

Viktor, with choreographer Patricia Wilcox and Broadway singer Brian Lane Green.

1992 Olympic Gold Medalist Viktor Petrenko loves music. And loves finding the perfect music to skate to.

On the 2002 Champions On Ice tour, Viktor kept the audiences laughing with "Who Let the Dogs Out," complete with a puppet dog. Viktor skated with the puppet the entire number, even performing jumps and spins with the dog.

This year, Viktor's mood is more meaningful. For the 2003 Champions On Ice tour, he has selected "Flight," a song performed by Broadway singer Brian Lane Green.

Viktor, who lives near New York in Connecticut and spends as much time going to Broadway plays as he can, was struck by the beauty of the music when he heard it. Broadway choreographer Patricia Wilcox helped him match the skating to the music, and a new program was born.

Viktor, who can change moods from number to number, is getting great response for this more serious, moving program. While he is skating to "Flight," the audience is silent, caught up in the moment of the skating and the music. That is just what Viktor was aiming for.

"I like to change things around," he said. "Last year, I was having fun with the dog. This year, I'm presenting a more serious side. I think you have to keep changing so that the audience is expecting something new from you each year."

Viktor recently had a chance to skate the number with Green in the audience. "It was such a great honor," Viktor said. "To skate, knowing Brian was watching, was a big thrill for me."

After Viktor wraps up the summer COI tour, he is looking forward to a long vacation. He will visit his homeland of Ukraine and spend time there with family and friends.

But he'll be back. He has no plans to retire soon. And that's good news for skating fans everywhere.

If you're looking for the CD of the music, it's entitled "Brian Lane Green" and is available through Barnes and Noble and other music outlets.

Viktor part of "Where Are They Now"

Viktor Petrenko was featured on VH1 February 3 in a "Where Are They Now" production of former powerful, graceful and red-hot ice skaters.

The second biggest sport in America exists in a hyper-competitive universe where success and failure dance on the edge of a blade. Where every four years, the world waits to crown a new icon of the ice. Where Are They Now?: On Ice tracks down the skaters who not only won gold, but won our hearts as well.

There was an exclusive interview with Viktor. A native of Ukraine, Viktor won the Olympic gold medal in 1992. He has since turned pro and been a regular starring feature on Champions On Ice.

He is now married to his coach’s daughter and spends time coaching his own daughter.

The VH1 production, On Ice, shows what happens when the best skaters in
the world hang up their competitive blades and glide into life outside the rink.

MS Society honors Petrenko

Viktor Petrenko was honored by the Multiple Sclerosis Society of America's "Dinner of Champions" on November 14 in Greenwich, Conn.

Viktor received the J.Walter Kennedy Memorial Sports Award for outstanding achievement in the sport of figure skating. 

"Viktor is an incredible athlete who brings both inspiration and entertainment to the audience, and he is most deserving of this award," said Mary Rauscher, Senior Vice President of the Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Gala included a cocktail and press reception followed by an awards dinner with a silent auction. 

It was hosted by this past season's New York Mets Manager, Bobby Valentine. Also attending were numerous Olympians, including two-time Olympic Pairs Champion, Artur Dmitriev; Olympic Skeleton Champion, Jim Shea; and Olympic Swimming Champion, Donna de Varona.

The award was presented to Viktor by Tom Collins, owner of Champions On Ice tour.

To download the article on the event from the Greenwich Time, click here.

To download the article on the event from The Advocate, click here.

If you don't have Acrobat Reader installed, click here for a free copy.

1992 Olympic Champion gives hope
to the Children of Chernobyl

Viktor Petrenko

Viktor Petrenko scored a "Viktory for Kids" when the Odessa Regional Children’s Hospital opened its new and modernized Neonatal Intensive Care Unit last March.

Petrenko helped make the renovations and equipment possible with a gala figure skating fundraising event entitled "Viktory for Kids".

The 1992 Olympic gold medalist invited an all-star cast of internationalfigure skating stars for the event.Brian Boitano, Sasha Cohen, Viacheslav Zagorodnyuk, Philippe Candeloro and Lucinda Ruh were among the skaters Petrenko asked to perform.

The event raised over $100,000 in proceeds for the Children of Chernobyl Relief Fund.

In 1986 the nuclear reactor exploded in Chornobyl, a city in Ukraine, and just a six hour car ride from Viktor’s home in Odessa. In the 15 years since the disaster, children in Odessa have been born with birth defects and townspeople have been diagnosed with other illnesses and diseases related to Chornobyl.

"I always wanted to something for my city," Petrenko said. "I grew up there. That city gave me everything. I started skating there. Now is my chance to pay them back." Petrenko held the gala in Simsbury, Conn., where he lives and trains.

Petrenko later attended the opening of the renovated facility that now contains state of the art technology. The funds gained through Petrenko’s initiative were used to purchase neonatal respirators, infant warmers, cardiac monitors, incubators and other essential equipment needed for the treatment of children suffering from respiratory distress, birth defects and other life-threatening conditions.

The Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund is an award-winning charity based in the United States that has completed 28 airlifts and 9 sea shipments to Ukraine. It has been a leader in the campaign to combat infant mortality in Ukraine, and to help save the lives of children who are still being affected by radioactive fallout.

For further information contact: Children of Chornobyl Relief Fund, 272 Old Short Hills Road, Short Hills, New Jersey, USA 07078.

A dog and a dame are crowd pleasers