The Soviet figure skating school has convincingly confirmed the correctness of the chosen concept. Although, according to authoritative experts, there was no consensus in the coaching company on this issue. The fact is that for a long period of time the main competition on the ice was observed between domestic specialists. Lyudmila Smirnova has gone through all the stages of sports training, and knows everything about big sports. She achieved great results on the ice. She was successfully engaged in coaching work. She declared herself as a gifted actress.
A distant start
To achieve decent results in sports, you must have certain physical qualities or, in other words, natural abilities. At the current historical moment, girls and boys are brought to the figure skating section, figuratively speaking, right from the cradle. Practice shows that this approach makes sense. Parents and older friends need to understand that other components are also needed on the path to success. Much depends on the coach, place of residence, financial condition of the family. Lyudmila Stanislavovna Smirnova was born in Leningrad on July 21, 1949.
The sports biography of the famous figure skater began in 1954, when her mother brought her to the Burevestnik skating rink. Two seasons later, the famous St. Petersburg coach Igor Moskvin drew attention to the girl. We can say with good reason that from that moment on, serious work on herself began for Lyudmila. A well-designed preparatory process brought the expected result. Participating in the 1964 junior figure skating championship of the Soviet Union, the Smirnova-Alekseev pair won silver medals.
Further, a successful career continued in collaboration with Andrei Suraikin. I must say that pair skating involves close and regular physical contact between partners. Many couples, after the end of sports performances, do not part, but start a family. The coach does not always manage to form a duet that is able to exist for a long period of time. As subsequent events showed, Suraykin saw in Lyudmila Smirnova not just a partner in joint performances, but primarily an attractive woman. And Lyudmila did not have a “spark in her soul”.
At first, the couple had problems with the coach. None of the coaching corps showed interest in him. Then Andrei took the initiative into his own hands and began to study with Lyudmila on his own. During this period, Smirnova was still receiving education, and she needed moral support. When it became clear that nothing could stop Suraikin, the same Igor Moskvin invited the couple to "under his wing". The 1969-70 season was fruitful for the couple. They brilliantly performed at the world championship, at the championship of Europe and the Soviet Union. Results - silver, silver, silver. At the Winter Universiade - gold.
Principal opposition
Sports fans who visit the ice rink during competitions or watch figure skating on TV do not see and often do not know what is happening behind closed doors. In the late 60s and early 70s, two pairs competed sharply on the ice. Smirnova-Suraykin and Rodnina-Ulanov. Some were looking for a basis in the traditions of classical ballet, others focused on the technically complex elements of the program. Ulanov, at the meeting, made an offer to Smirnova to work together. Lyudmila at that time refused him.
From the height of the past years, it can be said that unofficial competitions between the couples lasted for three years. Each duo strove to make their own individual contribution to the performance program. All these years, Suraikin and Smirnova occupied the second step of the podium. Relationships in couples ran high. Alexey Ulanov did not leave his persistent proposals. In 1972, both duos disbanded. Smirnova yielded to Ulanov's harassment and "paired up with him." For Andrey Suraikin it was a hard blow, from which he “departed” for several years.
The new couple not only continued performing on the ice arena, but also got married. Now the husband and wife could be creative around the clock. During this period, the personal life of famous skaters was more successful than sports. Intense training brought a certain effect, but the concept that Alexey Ulanov was trying to implement turned out to be wrong. At the 1973 World and European Championships, the couple came in second place. “Silver” is a good result for the first joint performance. However, the next year the situation repeated itself.
After a balanced and competent analysis of the current situation, Ulanov and Smirnova in 1975 decided to complete their performances in the sports arena and switched to ice ballet. We worked in Moscow for a couple of seasons and then moved to Leningrad. During this period, they had a son and a daughter. Parents were serious about raising their children. It is not difficult to assume that the children followed their parents' example. The son easily became a master of sports in figure skating. The daughter did not manage to achieve significant results in this area.
On coaching
The couple worked in the Leningrad ensemble "Ballet on Ice" for almost fifteen years. When perestroika began in the country, they began to think about foreign tours. These plans were easily realized, and the family worked for seven years in the United States. There, overseas, Lyudmila Smirnova tried herself in the coaching business. Something worked out.
In 1997, the couple separated. Smirnova returned to Petersburg, and Ulanov returned to Moscow. Currently, Lyudmila Stanislavovna Smirnova works as a trainer in one of the children's and youth schools in St. Petersburg. Her pets show good results.
