UpDate - Vol. 11, No. 3, Page 8
September 19, 1991
Russian champion duo trains Delaware skaters

     Figure skaters training at the University's Ice Skating
Science Development Center (ISSDC) received some special
instruction for three weeks in August, when ISSDC director Ron
Ludington imported a pair of world champion skaters from Moscow.
     Irina Moiseeva and Andrei Minenkova, along with their
8-year-old daughter, Helena, flew into Philadelphia in early August
in response to a call from Ludington.
     The Delaware skating director said he brought the husband and
wife team to campus to introduce "a more European look" to the
rink's coaches and skaters.
     The Russian couple competed in the World Championship every
year between 1973 and 1982. In each of the intervening years, the
team collected either a Bronze or Silver medal in either the
European or World championships. They were world dance champions in
1975 and 1977.
     Moiseeva said she and her husband started skating together
when she was 12 years of age. The pair retired from competition in
1982 and then were active in coaching for four years.
     University skater Ron Kravette said it was "wonderful" to have
them on campus because, "As world champions, they bring a unique
perspective to figure skating." Kravette said the skaters are
"perfectionists" who helped Elizabeth McLean and him hone their
compulsory dance routines.
     After taking the Bronze Medal in dance at the Olympic festival
in July, Kravette and McLean are preparing for Eastern
championships in November.
     Kravette and McLean are "quite good," Moiseeva said. "We hope
they'll make the Olympics."
     Minenkova called Ludington "one of the famous coaches in the
United States and in the world." He said they met the University
coach in 1973 at the World Figure Skating Championships, in which
they took eigth place. Ludington was coaching an American team at
the time.
     Ludington said the practice of importing foreign professionals
is fairly common among serious training centers. He said Moiseeva
and Minenkova worked with every University coach and skater in the
rink while they were here and that he has asked them to return for
a longer stay next year. Minenkova said they are planning to do so.
     "When young skaters understand you, it's a pleasure. And when
you see them improve, it gives you even more pleasure," Minenkova
said.
     While the team was in Newark, Minenkova said, they managed to
make one cultural excursion-to Atlantic City. He and his wife both
said they enjoyed themselves. Unfortunately, he said, they lost
money very quickly.
                                        - Stephen M. Steenkamer