Elena Vodorezova question

[floskate]

I remember her from the early '80's and really not thinking that much about her - other than the fact she had the best ladies double axel I've ever seen - including Midori's

But from a recent trade I've seen footage of her from 1976 Olympics where she competed aged 12 and landed 3 triples and then in 1978 Worlds where she did 2x half loop 3sal, 3t and 3loop!!!!!! What on earth happened to her between then and 1983 where she won bronze, then self destructed at the '84 Olympics.

I know she's very heavily involved in coaching now and used to coach Markova and now handles that cute kid Nikita Mikhailov who was so fab at Russian Nationals.

What I really want to know is what happened to her in those missing years? She lost a lot of her jumps through growing obviously but she seemed to disappear for a while. Anyone have any information???? She was awesome as a kid btw!!!

 

[zima]

Hi, Floskate!

Elena was very seriously ill, all these years. She was in hospital and could not be recovered completely. I don't remember the correct name of her illnes.....it was a bone arthritis or something like that.

 

[Ptichka]

She is now coaching Alima Gershkovich, a 15 year old who came in 4th at Russian Nationals.

 

[JonnyCoop]

The first time I saw Elena V. was at the 82 Worlds and I remember Dick Button reeling off a big long list of what had happened to her over the previous 3 seasons, including illness and a broken leg. I would have loved to have seen her when she first came along; I've heard many accounts that she was really quite something, but by the time she came back she was pretty average from what I could tell.

 

[floskate]

Thanks for your information guys! She really was amazing as a teenager - way beyond her years. At least she overcame arthritis and everything else to win that World medal. I really think she was far better than anyone gives credit. As well as Gershkowich she also teaches Nikita Mikhailov who was just so sweet at Russian Nationals. A name to look out for - he was about 14 but really with the body of a child but had some beautiful triple jumps, steps, spins and choreography!!

I'm just glad she's still involved in skating because she had so much talent!!

 

[thisthingcalledlove]

Thanks for your information guys! She really was amazing as a teenager - way beyond her years. At least she overcame arthritis and everything else to win that World medal. I really think she was far better than anyone gives credit. As well as Gershkowich she also teaches Nikita Mikhailov who was just so sweet at Russian Nationals. A name to look out for - he was about 14 but really with the body of a child but had some beautiful triple jumps, steps, spins and choreography!!

I'm just glad she's still involved in skating because she had so much talent!!

from what I've read from all of the posts here, she sounds an awful lot like naomi nari nam

 

[floskate]

from what I've read from all of the posts here, she sounds an awful lot like naomi nari nam

In the sense of her injuries? She didn't skate like her at all, she was marketed as a figure skating version of Olga Korbut, but she didn't have Olga's vivacious personality. However she certainly was a wunderkind!!