Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze | Golden Skate

Elena Berezhnaya & Anton Sikharulidze

Mohacz

Medalist
Joined
Jan 24, 2006
Country
Poland
Elena Viktorovna Berezhnaya (Russian: Елена Викторовна Бережная) and Anton Tarielyevich Sikharulidze (Russian: Антон Тариэльевич Сихарулидзе) are former Russian pair skaters.

Elena was born on 11 October 1977 in Nevinnomyssk, former Russian SFSR, Soviet Unionand. Anton was born on 25 October 1976 in Leningrad, former Russian SFSR, Soviet Union.

Elena and Anton Sikharulidze are the 2002 Olympic Champions, the 1998 Olympic silver medalists, two-time World Champions (1998 and 1999), two-time European Champions (1998 and 2001; they also won the 2000 Europeans, but were disqualified due to Berezhnaya testing positive for pseudoephedrine and not having informed the ISU as required). They are also the winners of the 2000 CS/GP Final, multiple medalists of the CS/GP events and four-time national champions.

Berezhnaya first competed with Oleg Shliakhov for Latvia and won gold at the 1995 Trophée de France. While training together in January 1996, she suffered a serious injury, leaving her partly paralyzed and unable to speak. She recovered rapidly and began competing again in November 1996 with new partner, Anton Sikharulidze.

Anton's first partner was Maria Petrova, with whom he became the 1994 and 1995 World Junior Champion.

Elena and Anton share their Salt Lake City Olympic gold medal with Canadian pair Jamie Salé and David Pelletier. The controversy led to substantial changes in the figure skating judging system and gave rise to the new ISU Judging System (IJS or COP - Code of Points).

In May 2003, Berezhnaya/Sikharulidze confirmed they had retired from competitive skating. Between 2002 and 2006 they toured with Stars on Ice, then returned to Russia.

During their competitive career, they were coached by Tamara Moskvina at the Yubileyny Sports Palace in Saint Petersburg, Russia, and the Ice House in Hackensack, New Jersey.

Fskate.ru Bio
Elena - https://fskate.ru/skaters/273.html
Anton - https://fskate.ru/skaters/274.html

Wikipedia
Elena - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elena_Berezhnaya
Anton - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anton_Sikharulidze

Social Media
Elena's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/berezhnayaofficial/?hl=pl

Programs and Videos
2001/2002
SP: "Lady Caliph: Nocturne" from "La califfa" by Ennio Morricone
LP: "Meditation from Thaïs" by Jules Massenet, performed by Nigel Kennedy and Orchestra
Ex: "The Kid" - various Charlie Chaplin film soundtracks

XIX Winter Olympic Games Salt Lake City 20022002 Russian National Championships2001/02 GP Final2001 Cup of Russia2001 Trophee Lalique2001 Goodwill Games
2000/2001
SP: "Meadowland" arranged by Stanley Black, performed by the London Festival Orchestra
LP: "City Lights": Charlie Chaplin medley performed by Catherine Wilson and Friends from the album Classical Potpourri / "Terry's Theme" performed by the London Pops Orchestra from the album Award Winning Movie Themes: The 50's
Ex: "Smooth": "El Farol" by Santana / "Smooth" by Santana and Rob Thomas

2001 World Championships2000/01 GP Final2001 European Championships
2000 Cup of Russia

1999/2000
SP: "Radetzky March" by Johann Strauss I
LP1: "Valse Sentimentale" (Sentimental Waltz) Six Morceaux for piano, Op. 51, No. 6 (1882) by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
LP2: "The Umbrellas of Cherbourg": "I Will Wait for You" by Michel Legrand
Ex1: "You're the Boss: performed by Brian Setzer, Gwen Stefani
Ex2: "Te Vas" performed by Carlos Ponce
Ex3: "Let Me Be Your Wings" by Barry Manilow

2000 European Championships - DQ1999/2000 GP Final
FS1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qq-D1w7GcIQ ("Umbrellas of Cherbourg")
FS2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qe4w4-ltKyE ("Valse Sentimentale")
2000 Russian National Championships1999 Skate Canada International1999 Skate America
1998/1999
SP: "Happy Valley" performed by Vanessa-Mae
LP: "Concerto for Coloratura": "Concert for the Voice – Andante from the Concerto for Coloratura Soprano and Orchestra, opus 82" written by Reinhold Glière, performed by the Bolshoi Theatre Orchestra and Evgenia Miroshnichenko
Ex: "The Impossible Dream" performed by Luther Vandross

1999 World Championships
1999 European Championships1999 Russian National Championships1998 NHK Trophy1998 Cup of Russia
1998 Goodwill Games
1997/1998
SP: "Swan Lake: Opus 20, Scène" by Pyotr Tchaikovsky
LP: "Dark Eyes" performed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
Ex: "Barcelona" (Live at Red Rocks) by John Tesh

1998 World ChampionshipsWinter Olympic Games Nagano 19981998 European Championships1997/98 GP Final
1997 Trophee Lalique1997 Nations Cup
1996/1997
SP: "Be Embraced, You Millions!" by Johann Strauss II
LP: "Dark Eyes" performed by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra
Ex: "Elegie in E-flat minor" from "Cinq Morceaux de fantasie, op. 3" by Sergei Rachmaninoff, performed by the Bekova Sisters

1997 World Championships1997 European Championships
1996 Cup of Russia1996 Trophee Lalique
Results

CompetitionSPFSFR
2001/2002
XIX Winter Olympic Games Salt Lake City 2002

1
2002 Russian National Championships

1
2001/02 GP Final

2
2001 Cup of Russia

1
2001 Trophee Lalique

1
2001 Goodwill Games

1
2000/2001
2001 World Championships

2
2000/01 GP Final

2
2001 European Championships

1
2001 Russian National Championships

1
2000 Trophee Lalique

1
2000 Cup of Russia

1
2000 Skate Canada International

2
1999/2000
2000 European Championships

DQ
1999/2000 GP Final

3
2000 Russian National Championships

1
1999 Skate Canada International

1
1999 Skate America

3
1998/1999
1999 World Championships

1
1998/99 Grand Prix Final

2
1999 European Championships

WD
1999 Russian National Championships

1
1998 NHK Trophy

1
1998 Cup of Russia

1
1998 Skate America

1
1998 Goodwill Games

1
1997/1998
1998 World Championships

1
Winter Olympic Games Nagano 1998

2
1998 European Championships

1
1997/98 GP Final

1
1998 Russian National Championships

2
1997 Trophee Lalique

1
1997 Nations Cup

2
1996/1997
1997 World Championships

9
1997 European Championships

3
1997 Russian National Championships

2
1996 Cup of Russia

5
1996 Trophee Lalique

3


Exhibitions, Shows and Galas
2010 ABC Thin Ice - Elena with David Pelletier - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4upnKl0aVk
2010 ABC Thin Ice - Elena with David Pelletier - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_jA-mXz9BJQ
2009 Ice heart Elena Berezhnaya & Steven Cousins - "A strange man" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ev1WDZdwAeA
2008 Ice heart Elena Berezhnaya & John Zimmerman - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bW8lkW4Ixk
2006 Gorshkov's Show - "Chaplin" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UcoaoofTnJI
2005 Courchevel - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VvDz4WXLGCk
2005 WTC TP - "You Are So Beautiful" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O9GeJmBqWsc
2005 Sarah Hughes & Friends - "If I Could" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUFgrG7uXBo
2005 Ice Symphony - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9J54Fig8TIw
2005 Ice Symphony - "If I Could" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PenVCZSJcN4
2004-05 All Stars on Ice - "Dance Mix" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pjiQ_y6KFRg
2003 CSOI - "Mme Tussaud After Hours" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yicyIiSfp2M
2003 Ice Wars AP - "River" by Josh Groban - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFkn4BxuSd4
2003 Ice Wars TP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHwBJuoDjsQ
24 September 2000 - "Smooth" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpxtYT3JtZs
2000 Hershey's Kisses - SP "Radetzky's March" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Qaz4vGpmyI
1999 Keri Lotion Classic - "Sentimental Waltz" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p9Opu8GSB_Q
1998 Champions on Ice - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYdMw2B9liE
1997 Russian Test Skate Gala - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=am_3OVMxuTc
1997 Russian Test Skate SP - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLMkWXERX6k

Articles, Interviews and Other Media
6 December 2008 Star Ice - Elena and Dima Bilan - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CCML3FQacZQ
29 November 2008 Star Ice - Elena and Steven Cousins - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7g4kMM1q7U
12 October 2008 - Anton Sikharulidze in a Russian TV program "Steps to success" by Alina Kabaeva - part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsOTcK3DpEA
12 October 2008 - Anton Sikharulidze in a Russian TV program "Steps to success" by Alina Kabaeva - part 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZNSqbaQ-Rc
12 October 2008 - Anton Sikharulidze in a Russian TV program "Steps to success" by Alina Kabaeva - part 4 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7LyqRhoWkk
2005 World Team Challenge - Alexei Anton Elena Interview - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=poq67VtzlTM
2002 Olympics fluff - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60V4B806-cc
2002 documentary "Roses for Berezhnaya" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtblYjYMTHs
Commercial clip of Pfizer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2MFYvN6olHA
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Mohacz

Medalist
Joined
Jan 24, 2006
Country
Poland
I've just opened a thread for one of may all-time favourite pair skaters. I simply adored them. They were so elegant and Elena was like a fairy queen :) Their Lady Caliph is one of may favourite Short Programs and their cream and beige costumes absolute no. 1 on my personal list.
The thread is still under construction as I need to include links to their programs and other videos. Since I can't continue today, I'll leave it where I've left :) Enjoy :)
 
Last edited:

medoroa

On the Ice
Joined
Dec 30, 2017
I absolutely adore them! S/S and S/M came close and I also love M/D but I probably won't love another pair like I love S/B. Their synchronicity, their flow, the way Sikharulidze holds his edge as he enters a death spiral (super minor detail I absolutely adore about them), their spiral/eagle sequences, their speed coming out of twists, etc. etc. etc. :luv17: I also insist they have the best Chaplin programs in history! I squeed in delight when I saw their Olympics SP had been uploaded in HQ and I'm still crossing my fingers we'll see their FS in HQ one day too.

Thank you for the extensive list! I'll probably go rewatch all of these now.
 

nguyhm

On the Ice
Joined
Mar 5, 2014
I've just opened a thread for one of may all-time favourite pair skaters. I simply adored them. They were so elegant and Elena was like a fairy queen :) Their Lady Caliph is one of may favourite Short Programs and their cream and beige costumes absolute no. 1 on my personal list.
The thread is still under construction as I need to include links to their programs and other videos. Since I can't continue today, I'll leave it where I've left :) Enjoy :)
Thank you so much for the list and for creating this thread. They are my absolute favorites and pair skating has not been the same for me since their "era".
 

Rina RUS

Final Flight
Joined
Jul 27, 2016
Country
Russia
The daughter of Elena Berezhnaya has made her debut as a pair skater. The girl’s name is Sofia Cousins. The text under the video says that her partner’s name is Alexander Bregei.


On the video Tamara Moskvina says that Alexander Smirnov is their coach (the one who skated with Yuko Kavaguti).
 

LolaSkatesInJapan

♥ Kami Valieva fan ♥
On the Ice
Joined
May 28, 2023
Country
Israel
The daughter of Elena Berezhnaya has made her debut as a pair skater. The girl’s name is Sofia Cousins. The text under the video says that her partner’s name is Alexander Bregei.


On the video Tamara Moskvina says that Alexander Smirnov is their coach (the one who skated with Yuko Kavaguti).

I don't really watch pairs (or men) and watch/focus on women's singles since it's the discipline I am on, but I remember the pair Elena/Anton and they were magnificent. I was practicing ballet in Petesburg during the 2002 Olympics and remember how many people watched and talked about the unfortunate, unfair commotion that happened. They are forever true champions of 2002 and so many more events. She was a gorgeous skater too and it's great she has now her daughter in figure skating as well. Hopefully she does great too!
 

Rina RUS

Final Flight
Joined
Jul 27, 2016
Country
Russia
I don't really watch pairs (or men) and watch/focus on women's singles since it's the discipline I am on, but I remember the pair Elena/Anton and they were magnificent. I was practicing ballet in Petesburg during the 2002 Olympics and remember how many people watched and talked about the unfortunate, unfair commotion that happened. They are forever true champions of 2002 and so many more events. She was a gorgeous skater too and it's great she has now her daughter in figure skating as well. Hopefully she does great too!

I don't usually judge who is "the true champion", but I'm grateful for your words.
 

LolaSkatesInJapan

♥ Kami Valieva fan ♥
On the Ice
Joined
May 28, 2023
Country
Israel
I don't usually judge who is "the true champion", but I'm grateful for your words.

Oh, I'm no judge either! Unless it's a competition/event I am skating in, the others I am a mere spectator enjoying good skating :)
But that 2002 Salt Lake, the first results said who were the champions and who got the gold medal and ignoring the commotion that happened after, off the ice, this is the fair result, so that is what I mean by true champion :)
Everything so beautiful, music, clothes, choreography, skills. That's why they had gold.
 

mylifeback

On the Ice
Joined
May 27, 2014
Country
United-States
I've just opened a thread for one of may all-time favourite pair skaters. I simply adored them. They were so elegant and Elena was like a fairy queen :) Their Lady Caliph is one of may favourite Short Programs and their cream and beige costumes absolute no. 1 on my personal list.
The thread is still under construction as I need to include links to their programs and other videos. Since I can't continue today, I'll leave it where I've left :) Enjoy :)
Favorites!!! Thankyou :)
 

trishelle

Spectator
Joined
Feb 12, 2014
I’m really late finding this thread, but I have loved Elena & Anton since 1997.

I am excited to see that Elena’s daughter is doing pairs!! I was holding my breath watching the video, I’m so scared in general watching juniors pairs, just cuz it’s quite dangerous these days.

Anybody know if Anton’s kids are in skating? Or Elena’s son?
 
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