In the information field, a discussion periodically arises about what figure skating is - art or sport. Sophisticated experts prefer to keep quiet. Elena Leonova began her ice career as an athlete. Today she is an actress.
Childhood and youth
Hundreds of books and articles have been written about early specialization for children. To be successful in any kind of activity, it is necessary to start appropriate preparation as early as possible. Japanese career counselors suggest starting at age three. Russian teachers advise bringing children to the figure skating section at the age of four. The famous Soviet and Russian figure skater Elena Rudolfovna Leonova was born on July 12, 1973 in an ordinary family. Parents at that time lived in Moscow. My father taught at the Moscow Institute of Physical Education. Mother worked as a therapist in one of the city clinics.
Elena was put on skates at the age of eight. Dad brought her to a children's sports school at CSKA and signed up to coach Elena Loboda. The girl did not demonstrate outstanding abilities. However, she did not have any obvious contraindications to figure skating. At the start, a lot is determined by the coach. It is very important to choose the appropriate method of general physical training. And only after that, proceed to the development of certain movements and elements. Leonova's preparation process was regular. She managed to master the school curriculum and did not miss training.
The girl trained under the single skating program. Two years later, the coaches came to the conclusion that Leonov should be transferred to pair skating. At that time, the promising skater Gennady Krasnitsky did not have a partner. Further “turn of events” showed that the decision of the coaching council was correct. Relationship professionals are well aware that the most important link in a sports couple is psychological compatibility. After three years of systematic training, Elena and Gennady demonstrated the highest level of skiing for their age status.
For two seasons in a row since 1986, the Leonova-Krasnitsky pair occupied the top steps of the podium at the World Junior Championships. The partners have gained invaluable experience in performing at international competitions. They won at the NHK Trophy Japanese Open Championship without the slightest error. In 1989, at the international tournament "Skate Canada" in Canada, they snatched the first place from the ice owners. Then they demonstrated the highest level of skiing at the "Nebelhorn Trophy" competition held in Germany.
On professional ice
In 1990, the Leonova-Krasnitsky pair won bronze medals in the USSR championship. And, quite unexpectedly for the coaches and for the fans, it broke up. Such partings are hard to bear and it took the athlete time to recover. Elena went to the group to another coach. It was already pointless to switch to single skating. After a while, she resumed training in tandem with Sergei Petrovsky. For three years, they worked hard on the new program. However, the pair failed to achieve the desired results. The partners parted.
By that time, the All Stars Ice Theater had become famous all over the world. One of the best coaches in the world of figure skating, Tatyana Tarasova, has figured out how to use the unspent potential of figure skaters who have left the big sport. Professional skaters with unspent energy were eager to be creative in their usual environment. Elena Leonova received an offer to take part in this project. Here she "stood up" in a pair with Andrey Khvalko, who also found himself alone.
Paired performances
For four years, Elena and Andrey performed on the stage of the ice theater. According to the reviews of many actors, the load here was no less than on sports ice. We had to work on the performances "from dark to dark." In this context, it should be noted that no one forced athletes who completed their careers to retrain into actors. All procedures were carried out by mutual agreement. Another important circumstance is that the actors earned very well. The troupe toured the capitals of all civilized countries with tour performances.
Constant communication at work grew into a sincere affection. Elena and Andrey began to live together. And not just live, but make realistic plans for the future. After a thoughtful analysis. The couple decided to take part in the World Professional Figure Skating Championship. The conditions for these competitions are significantly different from those in amateur sports. The calculation turned out to be accurate. At the end of the twentieth century, Leonova and Khvalko climbed to the top step of the podium twice.
Somersaults of personal life
When Elena is asked about her personal life, she tries to answer shortly. She has been married since 1995. A husband and wife are raising and raising two daughters. Lisa was born in 2003, Anabelle - in 2008. They have an apartment in the United States and in Russia. Several years ago they opened their own figure skating school in America.
It is not very convenient to live in two houses, but it is impossible to refuse to participate in television projects in our native land. Elena performed in the project of the First Channel "Ice Age". In 2018, the couple took part in the Rock Symphony on Ice show. There are many interesting events ahead.
