Elena Berezhnaya, pair skater

Perhaps someday the story of a couple Elena Berezhnaya – Anton Sikharulidze in figure skating will be taken as a plot for a Hollywood movie. Elena skated with Oleg Shliakhov for Latvia and won gold at the 1995 Trophee de France. During one of the worst training an accident happened: partner sliced his blade into Elena’s skull. The girl suffered a serious head injury. She was partly paralyzed and unable to speak. After the surgery, doctors forbade her even think about the sport. However, Elena secretly dreamed and believed in her recovery and return to figure skating.
Everybody helped and supported her: her coach Tamara Moskvina, parents, friends and boyfriend Anton Sikharulidze. Anton brought her favorite books to the hospital and read aloud a lot. Three months after surgery, he brought Lena to the rink. A year later they teamed up and returned to the national team. A year later they took part in the World Cup and became the winners of the European and World championships.

You know, Berezhnaya (born on October 11, 1977) and Sikharulidze (born on October 25, 1976) were the 1998 and 1999 World champions. By the way, they were 1998 Olympic silver medalists and 2002 Olympic champions.
The couple Berezhnaya – Sikharulidze has broken up, but they remain close friends.
Moreover, Berezhnaya took part in many TV ice shows and was a partner of famous people including actor Aleksandr Nosik (2006), pop star Dima Bilan (2008), comedian Mikhail Galustian (2009), John Zimmerman (2009), Igor Ugolnikov (2010). What is more, Elena played the White Queen in Alice in Wonderland ice show in St. Petersburg and Moscow.
In 2011 she participated in the Canadian reality program Battle of the Blades paired with hockey player Curtis Leschyshyn.
In 2005, Berezhnaya began a friendship with Steven Cousins. Their son Tristan was born on October 6, 2007 in London, England. And their daughter, Sofia Diana was born on June 21, 2009 in Saint Petersburg, Russia. You know, Sikharulidze is her son’s godfather. Steven Cousins and Elena divorced in 2012.
Elena’s page Vkontakte: vk.com/berezhnaya.elena