Perseverance pays off for Leonova

Since Irina Slutskaya’s retirement in 2006, there has been a medal draught for Russia in the ladies figure skating discipline. However, Alena Leonova became the first of an up-and-coming group of Russian girls that has…

Kostner captures gold in Nice

“If you love something, let it go” goes the old proverb. On Saturday evening, it came true for the Italy’s Carolina Kostner at the 2012 World Figure Skating Championship. She claimed on Thursday that her goal at this…

Leonova takes short program at Worlds

The 2012 World Figure Skating Championships continued with the Ladies Short Program. Russia’s Alena Leonova, whose best achievement to date was a bronze medal at the ISU Grand Prix Final, won the event, followed by Japan’s Kanako Murakami….

Kostner seizes first Grand Prix Final title

The 2011-12 ISU Grand Prix Final and Junior Grand Prix Final of Figure Skating continued with the Senior Ladies Long Program.

Italy’s Carolina Kostner seized her first title at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final…

Kostner leads ladies at Grand Prix Final

The 2011-12 ISU Grand Prix Final and Junior Grand Prix Final of Figure Skating continued with the Senior Ladies Short Program.

Carolina Kostner of Italy took the event with a five point lead over Japan’s Akiko Suzuki of Japan. Russia’s Alena Leonova…

Asada takes gold at Cup of Russia

The second competition day of the Rostelecom Cup attracted a sizable crowd to the Megasport Arena in Moscow, Russia. The venue with a 14,000 seat capacity was more than two thirds full for the Saturday finals, a major improvement over half-empty stands in…

Asada edges Leonova for the overnight lead in Moscow

The final stage of the 2011-12 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series began today in Moscow with the Ladies Short Program. With the diverse field ranging from debutants to World Champion, the level of the event was surprisingly even. Japan’s Mao Asada currently leads the ladies, followed by…

Akiko Suzuki wins NHK Trophy

Akiko Suzuki led the Japanese women to a one-two finish at NHK Trophy on Saturday when she won ahead of Mao Asada. Russia’s Alena Leonova earned the bronze medal in the figure skating event.

Suzuki wasn’t flawless in her classical routine to Die Fledermaus. She nailed…

Suzuki claims Ladies short at NHK Trophy

Akiko Suzuki of Japan claimed the Ladies short program with a strong performance ahead of Russia’s Alena Leonova and Japanese figure skating super star Mao Asada.

Suzuki skated last, and her performance to a modern arrangement of the Hungarian Rhapsody was a true highlight of the…

Sotnikova grabs second Russian National title

The Ladies Long Program of the Russian National Championships turned out to be a test of nerves. Adelina Sotnikova and Alena Leonova passed the test with flying colors, capturing gold and silver respectively. Elizaveta Tuktamysheva rose…

Makarova and Sotnikova a close 1-2 after Short Program

The Ladies Short Program competition turned out to be a battle between two Russian Champions. Defending champion Ksenia Makarova edged the 2009 Champion Adelina Sotnikova for the overnight lead, but the two are closely followed by the number of skaters including Alena…

Alena Leonova: An unexpected break-through

Russian figure skating plummeted into depression with the retirement of the stars from 2006. However, while ice dancers and pairs still made the podium at Worlds…