'''IrinaEduardovna Slutskaya''' (born February 9, 1979) is a Russian [[figure skater]]. She is a two-time [[World Figure Skating Championships|World Champion]] (2002, 2005), two-time [[Figure skating at the Olympic Games|Olympic medalist]] (silver in 2002, bronze in 2006), seven-time [[European Figure Skating Championships|European Champion]] (1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006), a four-time Grand Prix Final Champion (2000–2002, 2005) and a four-time Russian National Champion (2000–2002, 2005). Slutskaya, known for her athletic ability, was the first female skater to land a triple [[lutz jump|lutz]]-triple [[loop jump|loop]] combination.<ref name=bio0506/> She is also known for her trademark double [[Biellmann spin]] with a foot change, which she also invented. She is generally considered to be the most successful ladies' singles skater in Russian history.
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{{Template:InfoboxAthlete
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|name = Irina Slutskaya
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|country = [[Russia]]
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|sport = [[Figure skating]]
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|best events = solo
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|olympics attended = [[Nagano 1998|1998]]; [[Salt Lake City 2002|2002]]; [[Torino 2006|2006]]
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|gold = 0
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|silver = 1
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|bronze = 1
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|nickname =
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|birthdate = 9 February 1979
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|birthplace = Moscow, Soviet Union (Russia)
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|height = 5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
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|weight =
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|image = [[File:Irina_Slutskaya.JPG|200px]]
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|hometown = Moscow, Russia
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}}'''Irina Eduardovna Slutskaya''' (born February 9, 1979) is a Russian figure skater. She is a two-time World Champion (2002, 2005), two-time Olympic medalist (silver in 2002, bronze in 2006), seven-time European Champion (1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006), a four-time Grand Prix Final Champion (2000–2002, 2005) and a four-time Russian National Champion (2000–2002, 2005). Slutskaya, known for her athletic ability, was the first female skater to land a triple lutz-triple loop combination. She is also known for her trademark double Biellmann spin with a foot change, which she also invented. She is generally considered to be the most successful ladies' singles skater in Russian history.
Slutskaya began skating at the age of four due to her mother. She was coached by Zhanna Gromova since the age of six and throughout her competitive career. During her career, Slutskaya wonatotal of 40 gold medals, 21 silver medals, and 18 bronze medals.
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Slutskaya began skating at the age of four due to her mother.<ref name=jbm/> She was coached by [[Zhanna Gromova]] since the age of six<ref name=jbm/> and throughout her competitive career. During her career, Slutskaya won a total of 40 gold medals, 21 silver medals, and 18 bronze medals.
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In 1996, Slutskaya became the first Russian woman to win the [[1996 European Figure Skating Championships|European title]]. She repeated as European champion in [[1997 European Figure Skating Championships|1997]]. She won bronze at the [[1996 World Figure Skating Championships|1996 World Championships]] and finished fourth in [[1997 World Figure Skating Championships|1997]].
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In 1996, Slutskaya became the first Russian woman to win the European title. She repeated as European champion in 1997. She won bronze at the 1996 World Championships and finished fourth in 1997.
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At the [[Nagano 1998|1998 Winter Olympics]], she finished fifth behind [[Chen Lu]] and [[Maria Butyrskaya]]. Lu Chen edged Butyrskaya 5–4 for the bronze and Slutskaya 6–3. The next month, Slutskaya won silver at the [[1998 World Figure Skating Championships|1998 World Championships]]. She did not win any competitions in the 1998–99 season and missed both the European and the World Championships. She considered leaving competition but decided to continue.
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At the [[Nagano 1998|1998 Winter Olympics]], she finished fifth behind [[Chen Lu]] and [[Maria Butyrskaya]]. Lu Chen edged Butyrskaya 5–4 for the bronze and Slutskaya 6–3. The next month, Slutskaya won silver at the 1998 World Championships. She did not win any competitions in the 1998–99 season and missed both the European and the World Championships. She considered leaving competition but decided to continue.
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Slutskaya made a successful comeback at the 2000 Grand Prix Final. She landed seven clean triples, including two triple-triple combinations and became the first woman to do a [[Lutz jump|triple lutz]]-triple loop combination. She later won her third European title and won a silver medal at the 2000 World Championships with [[Michelle Kwan]] winning the gold.
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Slutskaya made a successful comeback at the 2000 Grand Prix Final. She landed seven clean triples, including two triple-triple combinations and became the first woman to do a triple lutz-triple loop combination. She later won her third European title and won a silver medal at the 2000 World Championships with [[Michelle Kwan]] winning the gold.
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At the 2001 World Championships, Slutskaya became the first woman to land a [[Salchow jump|triple salchow]]-triple loop-double toe loop combination and won the silver medal. She lost in a 7–2 decision to [[Michelle Kwan]]. Kwan had no visible mistakes while Slutskaya two-footed her triple lutz-triple loop-double toe loop combination and had problems on two other landings.
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At the 2001 World Championships, Slutskaya became the first woman to land a triple salchow-triple loop-double toe loop combination and won the silver medal. She lost in a 7–2 decision to [[Michelle Kwan]]. Kwan had no visible mistakes while Slutskaya two-footed her triple lutz-triple loop-double toe loop combination and had problems on two other landings.
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Slutskaya won silver at the [[2002 Winter Olympics]] and became the second Russian ever to win a medal in the women's event. The competition had been billed in advance as a head-to-head battle between Slutskaya and American Michelle Kwan. After the short program, as expected, Kwan and Slutskaya placed first and second with [[Sasha Cohen]] and [[Sarah Hughes]] of the U.S. placing third and fourth, respectively. Kwan finished behind fellow American Hughes in the overall standings. Slutskaya had to win the free skate in order to win gold but Hughes won the free skate in a 5–4 decision. Russia, still somewhat aggrieved about the outcome of an earlier dispute over the pairs competition, filed a complaint against the result but it was rejected shortly.
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Slutskaya won silver at the [[2002 Winter Olympic Games|2002 Winter Olympics]] and became the second Russian ever to win a medal in the women's event. The competition had been billed in advance as a head-to-head battle between Slutskaya and American Michelle Kwan. After the short program, as expected, Kwan and Slutskaya placed first and second with [[Sasha Cohen]] and [[Sarah Hughes]] of the U.S. placing third and fourth, respectively. Kwan finished behind fellow American Hughes in the overall standings. Slutskaya had to win the free skate in order to win gold but Hughes won the free skate in a 5–4 decision. Russia, still somewhat aggrieved about the outcome of an earlier dispute over the pairs competition, filed a complaint against the result but it was rejected shortly.
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The next month, Slutskaya won the 2002 World title in Nagano. Slutskaya finished first in both the qualifying round and the short program, followed by [[Fumie Suguri]] and Michelle Kwan. Although Slutskaya could place second to Kwan in the free skate and still win, she won a majority of the judges' votes in the segment. It was her first World title.
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The next month, Slutskaya won the 2002 World title in Nagano. Slutskaya finished first in both the qualifying round and the short program, followed by [[Fumie Suguri]] and [[Michelle Kwan]]. Although Slutskaya could place second to Kwan in the free skate and still win, she won a majority of the judges' votes in the segment. It was her first World title.
===Illness and comeback===
===Illness and comeback===
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Slutskaya chose not to compete at the 2003 World Championships after receiving news that her mother had fallen seriously ill, requiring a kidney transplant. The initial transplant was rejected and another one had to be performed.<ref name=family/> However, soon after her mother's condition began improving, Slutskaya's own health sharply deteriorated, including fatigue and swelling in the legs.<ref name=family/> She went to several hospitals which struggled to correctly diagnose her condition.<ref name=family/> Doctors told her that she should stay away from the cold, but she refused and finished 9th at the 2004 World Championships.
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Slutskaya chose not to compete at the 2003 World Championships after receiving news that her mother had fallen seriously ill, requiring a kidney transplant. The initial transplant was rejected and another one had to be performed. However, soon after her mother's condition began improving, Slutskaya's own health sharply deteriorated, including fatigue and swelling in the legs. She went to several hospitals which struggled to correctly diagnose her condition. Doctors told her that she should stay away from the cold, but she refused and finished 9th at the 2004 World Championships.
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She was diagnosed with vasculitis.<ref name=bio0506/><ref name=vasculitis/> In 2005, Slutskaya made a comeback after a long stay at a hospital. She won the [[2005 European Figure Skating Championships|2005 European Championships]], matching the record for the most European titles in ladies' singles. At the [[2005 World Figure Skating Championships|2005 World Championships]], Slutskaya was first after the short program and skated last in the free skate, winning the title. In an interview, she said:
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She was diagnosed with vasculitis. In 2005, Slutskaya made a comeback after a long stay at a hospital. She won the 2005 European Championships, matching the record for the most European titles in ladies' singles. At the 2005 World Championships, Slutskaya was first after the short program and skated last in the free skate, winning the title. In an interview, she said: "This is the question they ask: how could you get up after your fall last year? That's not right at all. You can't talk that way. When a person is ill, it's not a fall, it's a misfortune. And no one, unfortunately, is safe from that. I only want to say to those who don't believe in their [own capacity for] recovery: believe, fight ... I got up — you can too."
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{{cquote|This is the question they ask: how could you get up after your fall last year? That's not right at all. You can't talk that way. When a person is ill, it's not a fall, it's a misfortune. And no one, unfortunately, is safe from that. I only want to say to those who don't believe in their [own capacity for] recovery: believe, fight ... I got up — you can too.}}
She said the 2005 World Championships free skate was "the skate of her life" because "she was in front of her friends and family, and she was skating at home". On January 19, 2006, Slutskaya won the European Championships for the seventh time, becoming the most successful ladies' skater at the European Championships.
She said the 2005 World Championships free skate was "the skate of her life" because "she was in front of her friends and family, and she was skating at home". On January 19, 2006, Slutskaya won the European Championships for the seventh time, becoming the most successful ladies' skater at the European Championships.
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At the [[Torino 2006|2006 Winter Olympics]] in Torino, Italy, Slutskaya was one of the heavy favorites to win the gold medal. She was in second place after the short program, behind [[Sasha Cohen]] of the United States. In the long program, Slutskaya doubled a triple flip and then fell on a triple loop jump. She won the [[bronze medal]], behind gold medalist [[Shizuka Arakawa]] of Japan and silver medalist Cohen. Slutskaya did not compete in the 2006 Worlds the following month. In November 2006, she denied reports that claimed she was retiring from competitive figure skating, saying the reports were completely false.<ref name=notret/>
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At the [[Torino 2006|2006 Winter Olympics]] in Torino, Italy, Slutskaya was one of the heavy favorites to win the gold medal. She was in second place after the short program, behind [[Sasha Cohen]] of the United States. In the long program, Slutskaya doubled a triple flip and then fell on a triple loop jump. She won the bronze medal, behind gold medalist [[Shizuka Arakawa]] of Japan and silver medalist Cohen. Slutskaya did not compete in the 2006 Worlds the following month. In November 2006, she denied reports that claimed she was retiring from competitive figure skating, saying the reports were completely false.
===Post-competitive career===
===Post-competitive career===
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On April 10, 2007 Slutskaya announced she was returning to Russia from the United States and would not participate on the 2007 Champions on Ice tour after finding out she and her husband, Sergei, were expecting a child.<ref name=ap070410/> Slutskaya stated that she was enjoying motherhood and had no plans to return to skating competitively. "I don’t see the target," she said. "I don’t know why I have to go there. I have almost all the titles."<ref name=ap081122/>
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On April 10, 2007 Slutskaya announced she was returning to Russia from the United States and would not participate on the 2007 Champions on Ice tour after finding out she and her husband, Sergei, were expecting a child. Slutskaya stated that she was enjoying motherhood and had no plans to return to skating competitively. "I don’t see the target," she said. "I don’t know why I have to go there. I have almost all the titles."
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She began a career in show business. She presented figure skating reality shows on Russia Channel 1 "Stars on Ice" with co-host [[Yevgeni Plushenko]] and "Ice Age" with actor [[Marat Basharov]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=ja&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icesymphony.org%2Fourstars%2Fslutskaya |title=Slutskaya's profile – Ice Symphony Russia |language={{ja icon}} |publisher=Translate.google.com |date= |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref>
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She began a career in show business. She presented figure skating reality shows on Russia Channel 1 "Stars on Ice" with co-host Yevgeni Plushenko and "Ice Age" with actor Marat Basharov.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=ja&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icesymphony.org%2Fourstars%2Fslutskaya |title=Slutskaya's profile – Ice Symphony Russia |publisher=Translate.google.com |date= |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref>
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She has released CD, too.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=ja&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ntv.ru%2Fnovosti%2F85357%2F |title=Irina Slutskaya stormed musical Olympus |language={{ja icon}} |publisher=Translate.google.com |date= |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref> In 2008, she took part in a Russian TV soap opera about figure skating "Hot Ice".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=ja&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ruskino.ru%2Fmov%2F10753 |title=Hot Ice |language={{ja icon}} |publisher=Translate.google.com |date= |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref> She also toured as the lead skater in the Russian version of the show "Winx on Ice".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=ja&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icesymphony.org%2Ficenews%2Fwinx_on_ice%2F |title=Winx on Ice Russia |language={{ja icon}} |publisher=Translate.google.com |date= |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref>
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She has released CD, too.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=ja&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ntv.ru%2Fnovosti%2F85357%2F |title=Irina Slutskaya stormed musical Olympus |publisher=Translate.google.com |date= |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref> In 2008, she took part in a Russian TV soap opera about figure skating "Hot Ice".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=ja&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ruskino.ru%2Fmov%2F10753 |title=Hot Ice |publisher=Translate.google.com |date= |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref> She also toured as the lead skater in the Russian version of the show "Winx on Ice".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=ja&sl=ru&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.icesymphony.org%2Ficenews%2Fwinx_on_ice%2F |title=Winx on Ice Russia |publisher=Translate.google.com |date= |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref>
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In November 2008, Slutskaya performed in the "Skate from the Heart" show.<ref>[http://www.dissonskating.com/hearthome.htm "Amway Global Skate from the Heart 2008"]</ref> In 2009, she was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.<ref name=jshof/>
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In November 2008, Slutskaya performed in the "Skate from the Heart" show.<ref>[http://www.dissonskating.com/hearthome.htm "Amway Global Skate from the Heart 2008"]</ref> In 2009, she was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
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In 2011, Slutskaya also participated in [[Figure skating at the2010 Winter Olympics – Ladies' singles|2010 Winter Olympic champion]] [[Kim Yu-Na]] ice show All That Skate Summer. In October 2012, Slutskaya competed in the first Medal Winner's Open, an event for Olympic and World medalists. She placed third in the ladies' field.<ref>[http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121003&content_id=39430922&vkey=ice_news Japan hosts three star-studded events this week]</ref><ref>[http://www.artonice.it/?q=it/node/12236 Japan Open 2012 and Open Medal Winner, stars in world race] (in Italian)</ref> She is an ambassador for the [[Sochi 2014|2014 Winter Olympics]] in [[Sochi]], Russia.<ref name=aoi121026/>
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In 2011, Slutskaya also participated in 2010 Winter Olympic champion [[Kim Yu-Na]] ice show All That Skate Summer. In October 2012, Slutskaya competed in the first Medal Winner's Open, an event for Olympic and World medalists. She placed third in the ladies' field.<ref>[http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20121003&content_id=39430922&vkey=ice_news Japan hosts three star-studded events this week]</ref><ref>[http://www.artonice.it/?q=it/node/12236 Japan Open 2012 and Open Medal Winner, stars in world race] (in Italian)</ref> She is an ambassador for the [[Sochi 2014|2014 Winter Olympics]] in Sochi, Russia.
==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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Slutskaya was born in 1979 in [[Moscow]], Russian SFSR, [[Soviet Union]], the only child of a Russian mother and Jewish father. Her mother was a former cross-country skier for the Soviet Union.<ref name=bec/>
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Slutskaya was born in 1979 in Moscow, Russian SFSR, [[Soviet Union]], the only child of a Russian mother and Jewish father. Her mother was a former cross-country skier for the Soviet Union.
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Slutskaya married her boyfriend, Sergei Mikheev, in August 1999.<ref name=bio0203/> They had met each other three years earlier at a summer camp near Moscow, where Mikheev was a physical education instructor. She gave birth to a son, named Artem, in November 2007 in Moscow.<ref name=detra/> Regretting not having siblings herself, she said she would like another child.<ref name=detra/> In October 2010, she gave birth to their second child, a daughter named Varvara.<ref name=daughter/><ref name=interviewdaughter/>
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Slutskaya married her boyfriend, Sergei Mikheev, in August 1999. They had met each other three years earlier at a summer camp near Moscow, where Mikheev was a physical education instructor. She gave birth to a son, named Artem, in November 2007 in Moscow. Regretting not having siblings herself, she said she would like another child. In October 2010, she gave birth to their second child, a daughter named Varvara.
==Records and achievements==
==Records and achievements==
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* Invented the double [[Biellmann spin]] with foot change
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* Invented the double Biellmann spin with foot change
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* First Russian woman to win [[European Figure Skating Championships|European]] title (1996)
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* First Russian woman to win European title (1996)
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* First woman to land triple [[lutz jump|lutz]], triple [[loop jump|loop]] combination in competition (2000 Grand Prix Final)
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* First woman to land triple lutz, triple loop combination in competition (2000 Grand Prix Final)
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* First woman to land a triple [[Salchow jump|salchow]], triple [[loop jump|loop]], double [[toe loop|toe-loop]] combination (2001 World Championships)
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* First woman to land a triple salchow, triple loop, double toe-loop combination (2001 World Championships)
* First Russian woman skater to win a silver medal at the [[Olympics]] (2002 Salt Lake City)
* First Russian woman skater to win a silver medal at the [[Olympics]] (2002 Salt Lake City)
*[[List of Jews in sports#Figure skating|List of select Jewish figure skaters]]
==References==
==References==
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{{reflist|2|refs=
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{{reflist|2|refs=}}
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<ref name=isucr>{{cite web | url = http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00000256.htm | title = Competition Results: Irina SLUTSKAYA | work = International Skating Union | archiveurl =
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http://www.webcitation.org/6BwPBZopu | archivedate = November 5, 2012 | deadurl = no }}</ref>
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<ref name=bio0203>{{cite web | title = Irina SLUTSKAYA: 2002/2003 | work = International Skating Union | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20031009060324/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00000256.htm | archivedate = October 9, 2003 }}</ref>
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<ref name=bio0304>{{cite web | title = Irina SLUTSKAYA: 2003/2004 | work = International Skating Union | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20040603122955/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00000256.htm | archivedate = June 3, 2004 }}</ref>
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<ref name=bio0405>{{cite web | title = Irina SLUTSKAYA: 2004/2005 | work = International Skating Union | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20050403183417/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00000256.htm | archivedate = April 3, 2005 }}</ref>
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<ref name=bio0506>{{cite web | title = Irina SLUTSKAYA: 2005/2006 | work = International Skating Union | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20060702111531/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00000256.htm | archivedate = July 2, 2006 }}</ref>
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<ref name=jbm>{{cite web | url = http://www.jbmittan.com/articles/a-slutskaya.htm | title = Irina Slutskaya | first = J. Barry | last = Mittan | year = 1997 }}</ref>
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<ref name=family>{{cite web | url = http://yagazeta.com/comment.php?comment.news.2332.extend | title = Irina Slutskaya: "Family has always been more valuable than titles" | last = Lisitsyn | first = Lina | publisher = yagazeta.com | date = March 2, 2009 | accessdate = September 3, 2010 | language = Russian}}</ref>
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<ref name=ap081122>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Slutskaya Is Savoring New Phase of Her Life | newspaper = The New York Times | date = November 22, 2008 | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/23/sports/othersports/23slutskaya.html?_r=1&partner=rssnyt&emc=rss}}</ref>
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<ref name=jshof>{{cite web|url=http://www.jewishsports.net/BioPages/IrinaSlutskaya.html |title=Jewish Sports Hall of Fame: Elected members Irina Slutskaya |publisher=Jewishsports.net|accessdate=January 4, 2011}}</ref>
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<ref name=detra>{{Cite news | url = http://www.kp.ru/daily/24006.4/82921/ | title = Ирина СЛУЦКАЯ, cемикратная чемпионка Европы по фигурному катанию: Недоброжелатели предрекали мне бездетный брак | trans_title = European champion in figure skating: detractors had predicted me childless marriage | date = November 22, 2007 | accessdate = November 22, 2010 | publisher = Komsomolskaya Pravda | language = Russian }}</ref>
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<ref name=daughter>{{Cite news | url = http://www.lifenews.ru/news/41511 | title = Ирина Слуцкая во второй раз стала мамой | trans_title = Irina Slutskaya for the second time became a mother | date = November 22, 2010 | accessdate = November 22, 2010 | publisher = lifenews.ru | language = Russian }}</ref>
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<ref name=interviewdaughter>{{Cite news | url = http://zn.by/irina-slutskaya-%C2%ABya-poprosila-khirurga-razvernut-monitor-i-uvidela-kak-rozhdaetsya-moi-rebenok%C2%BB.html | title = Ирина Слуцкая: "Я попросила хирурга развернуть монитор и увидела, как рождается мой ребенок" | trans_title = | author = Paderina, Ksenia | date = November 26, 2010 | accessdate = December 1, 2010 | work = Теленеделя (Москва) | language = Russian}}</ref>
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<ref name=vasculitis>{{cite web | url = http://www.izvestia.ru/news/news71187 | title = Ирина Слуцкая, недавно излечившаяся от серьезной болезни, может снова попасть в больницу | trans_title = Irina Slutskaya, has recently been cured of serious illness, may again be placed in the hospital | publisher = izvestia.ru | date = January 15, 2004 | accessdate = September 3, 2010 | language = Russian | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080407044830/http://www.izvestia.ru/news/news71187 | archivedate = April 7, 2008 | deadurl = no }}</ref>
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<ref name=notret>{{cite web | url = http://www.russianspy.org/2006/11/08/irina-slutskaya-dismisses-retirement-report/ | title = Irina Slutskaya Dismisses Retirement Report | accessdate = February 8, 2007 | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20080907091511/http://www.russianspy.org/2006/11/08/irina-slutskaya-dismisses-retirement-report/ | archivedate = September 7, 2008 | deadurl = yes }}</ref>
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<ref name=bec>{{cite web | last = Gschwind | first = Lee Ann | title = Slutskaya: 'I skate because I can' | publisher = NBC Olympic Research | url = http://www.nbcolympics.com/figureskating/5074660/detail.html | accessdate = April 24, 2007 }}{{Dead link|date=January 2012}}</ref>
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<ref name=ap070410>{{cite news | agency = Associated Press | title = Slutskaya returning to Russia because of pregnancy | newspaper = International Herald Tribune | date = April 10, 2007 | url = http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/10/sports/NA-SPT-FIG-Slutskaya-Pregnant.php | archiveurl = http://web.archive.org/web/20090228223617/http://iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/10/sports/NA-SPT-FIG-Slutskaya-Pregnant.php | archivedate = February 28, 2009 | deadurl = yes }}</ref>
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<ref name=aoi121026>{{cite news | url = http://www.artonice.it/?q=it/node/12365 | title = Irina Slutskaya “I ricordi mi hanno portata da Nagano a Sochi” | language = Italian | trans_title = Irina Slutskaya interview | first = Barbara | last = Castellaro | work = ArtOnIce.it | date = October 26, 2012 }}</ref>
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}}
==External links==
==External links==
* [http://www.irinaslutskaya.org/ Irina Slutskaya Official Page]
* [http://www.irinaslutskaya.org/ Irina Slutskaya Official Page]
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* {{ru icon}} [http://www.sem40.ru/rest/sport/14460/ Gold and tears]
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* [http://www.sem40.ru/rest/sport/14460/ Gold and tears]
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* {{isu name | id=00000256 | name=Irina Slutskaya }}
* [http://www.jewsinsports.org/olympics.asp?sport=olympics&ID=658 Jews in Sports bio]
* [http://www.jewsinsports.org/olympics.asp?sport=olympics&ID=658 Jews in Sports bio]
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{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
Irina Eduardovna Slutskaya (born February 9, 1979) is a Russian figure skater. She is a two-time World Champion (2002, 2005), two-time Olympic medalist (silver in 2002, bronze in 2006), seven-time European Champion (1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006), a four-time Grand Prix Final Champion (2000–2002, 2005) and a four-time Russian National Champion (2000–2002, 2005). Slutskaya, known for her athletic ability, was the first female skater to land a triple lutz-triple loop combination. She is also known for her trademark double Biellmann spin with a foot change, which she also invented. She is generally considered to be the most successful ladies' singles skater in Russian history.
Slutskaya began skating at the age of four due to her mother. She was coached by Zhanna Gromova since the age of six and throughout her competitive career. During her career, Slutskaya won a total of 40 gold medals, 21 silver medals, and 18 bronze medals.
In 1996, Slutskaya became the first Russian woman to win the European title. She repeated as European champion in 1997. She won bronze at the 1996 World Championships and finished fourth in 1997.
At the 1998 Winter Olympics, she finished fifth behind Chen Lu and Maria Butyrskaya. Lu Chen edged Butyrskaya 5–4 for the bronze and Slutskaya 6–3. The next month, Slutskaya won silver at the 1998 World Championships. She did not win any competitions in the 1998–99 season and missed both the European and the World Championships. She considered leaving competition but decided to continue.
Slutskaya made a successful comeback at the 2000 Grand Prix Final. She landed seven clean triples, including two triple-triple combinations and became the first woman to do a triple lutz-triple loop combination. She later won her third European title and won a silver medal at the 2000 World Championships with Michelle Kwan winning the gold.
At the 2001 World Championships, Slutskaya became the first woman to land a triple salchow-triple loop-double toe loop combination and won the silver medal. She lost in a 7–2 decision to Michelle Kwan. Kwan had no visible mistakes while Slutskaya two-footed her triple lutz-triple loop-double toe loop combination and had problems on two other landings.
Slutskaya won silver at the 2002 Winter Olympics and became the second Russian ever to win a medal in the women's event. The competition had been billed in advance as a head-to-head battle between Slutskaya and American Michelle Kwan. After the short program, as expected, Kwan and Slutskaya placed first and second with Sasha Cohen and Sarah Hughes of the U.S. placing third and fourth, respectively. Kwan finished behind fellow American Hughes in the overall standings. Slutskaya had to win the free skate in order to win gold but Hughes won the free skate in a 5–4 decision. Russia, still somewhat aggrieved about the outcome of an earlier dispute over the pairs competition, filed a complaint against the result but it was rejected shortly.
The next month, Slutskaya won the 2002 World title in Nagano. Slutskaya finished first in both the qualifying round and the short program, followed by Fumie Suguri and Michelle Kwan. Although Slutskaya could place second to Kwan in the free skate and still win, she won a majority of the judges' votes in the segment. It was her first World title.
Slutskaya chose not to compete at the 2003 World Championships after receiving news that her mother had fallen seriously ill, requiring a kidney transplant. The initial transplant was rejected and another one had to be performed. However, soon after her mother's condition began improving, Slutskaya's own health sharply deteriorated, including fatigue and swelling in the legs. She went to several hospitals which struggled to correctly diagnose her condition. Doctors told her that she should stay away from the cold, but she refused and finished 9th at the 2004 World Championships.
She was diagnosed with vasculitis. In 2005, Slutskaya made a comeback after a long stay at a hospital. She won the 2005 European Championships, matching the record for the most European titles in ladies' singles. At the 2005 World Championships, Slutskaya was first after the short program and skated last in the free skate, winning the title. In an interview, she said: "This is the question they ask: how could you get up after your fall last year? That's not right at all. You can't talk that way. When a person is ill, it's not a fall, it's a misfortune. And no one, unfortunately, is safe from that. I only want to say to those who don't believe in their [own capacity for] recovery: believe, fight ... I got up — you can too."
She said the 2005 World Championships free skate was "the skate of her life" because "she was in front of her friends and family, and she was skating at home". On January 19, 2006, Slutskaya won the European Championships for the seventh time, becoming the most successful ladies' skater at the European Championships.
At the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, Slutskaya was one of the heavy favorites to win the gold medal. She was in second place after the short program, behind Sasha Cohen of the United States. In the long program, Slutskaya doubled a triple flip and then fell on a triple loop jump. She won the bronze medal, behind gold medalist Shizuka Arakawa of Japan and silver medalist Cohen. Slutskaya did not compete in the 2006 Worlds the following month. In November 2006, she denied reports that claimed she was retiring from competitive figure skating, saying the reports were completely false.
On April 10, 2007 Slutskaya announced she was returning to Russia from the United States and would not participate on the 2007 Champions on Ice tour after finding out she and her husband, Sergei, were expecting a child. Slutskaya stated that she was enjoying motherhood and had no plans to return to skating competitively. "I don’t see the target," she said. "I don’t know why I have to go there. I have almost all the titles."
She began a career in show business. She presented figure skating reality shows on Russia Channel 1 "Stars on Ice" with co-host Yevgeni Plushenko and "Ice Age" with actor Marat Basharov.[1]
She has released CD, too.[2] In 2008, she took part in a Russian TV soap opera about figure skating "Hot Ice".[3] She also toured as the lead skater in the Russian version of the show "Winx on Ice".[4]
In November 2008, Slutskaya performed in the "Skate from the Heart" show.[5] In 2009, she was inducted into the International Jewish Sports Hall of Fame.
In 2011, Slutskaya also participated in 2010 Winter Olympic champion Kim Yu-Na ice show All That Skate Summer. In October 2012, Slutskaya competed in the first Medal Winner's Open, an event for Olympic and World medalists. She placed third in the ladies' field.[6][7] She is an ambassador for the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia.
Slutskaya was born in 1979 in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union, the only child of a Russian mother and Jewish father. Her mother was a former cross-country skier for the Soviet Union.
Slutskaya married her boyfriend, Sergei Mikheev, in August 1999. They had met each other three years earlier at a summer camp near Moscow, where Mikheev was a physical education instructor. She gave birth to a son, named Artem, in November 2007 in Moscow. Regretting not having siblings herself, she said she would like another child. In October 2010, she gave birth to their second child, a daughter named Varvara.
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