An Unbreakable Partnership
by Angela Court
May/June 1997
from International Figure Skating
"This is your crystal vase. It has been broken once. If you keep it,
it will still be a crystal vase." Those were the words of renowned
Russian coach Tamara Moskvina to Anton Sikharulidze when he began skating
with Elena Bereznaia. Not ordinary words. But this is no ordinary
partnership.
In January 1996 Bereznaia, 19, was in a horrific training accident
with her former partner Oleg Shliakhov, which resulted in his toe pick
hitting her head. Bereznaia came close to death, spent a month in the
hospital, and consequently suffered speech difficulties. She split with
Shliakhov and bravely returned to the ice in March 1996.
At first she took things tentatively. "I was a little worried, but it
wasn't too scary," she recalls. "I don't think I fully realized how
serious my accident was. All I'd thought about in the hospital was my
skating."
Bereznaia and Sikharulidze already knew each other and told Moskvina
they wanted to skate together.
"I was worried," admits Moskvina. "But I'd promised Elena I'd find her
another partner and they seemed happy together." For two months Bereznaia
just walked across the ice to build her confidence, and then the pair
began to train seriously.
"I was a little afraid for Elena for the first two months," says Sikharulidze,
20. "I knew it was difficult for her after the accident. But then we
stopped thinking about it and concentrated on our skating."
They worked hard in St. Petersburg under Moskvina, but she was cautious.
"I didn't push them too hard," she says. "I'm a mother and I said,
'Health first, sport second.' I could see Elena was nervous, but I
reminded her she'd been through the worst. I'd say, 'Compare your
feelings now to when you were in the hospital. You're happy to be out
of the hospital and now you are skating so you have happiness twice.'"
They pair progressed quickly. Already both experienced top-level competitors--
Bereznaia was 8th in the 1994 Olympics with Shliakhov, while Sikharulidze
placed 5th in the 1996 Europeans with Maria Petrova--this new partnership
began to flourish.
A third place finish in Lalique and a 5th in the Cup of Russia at the end
of 1996 was just a taste of what lay ahead. They took a silver at the
Russian nationals, two places ahead of the 1996 European Pairs Champions
Oksana Kazakova & Artur Dmitriev and earned places on the 1997 European
and World teams.
At Europeans, the pair knew a medal was within their grasp. The dream
became a reality as they finished third. This was only their fourth
competition together and came just one year after Bereznaia was released
from the hospital.
Moskvina said she'd had to adjust certain moves and had kept their program
fairly simple on purpose, but was clearly delighted.
"I'm amazed at how quickly they've come so far," she said. "I didn't
expect this medal. Second at Nationals was my main aim, which they
achieved."
"Europeans was just great," Bereznaia said afterward. "I was just so
happy to be out there and never thought we'd win a medal."
"I thought we could do well," says Sikharulidze. "This has been a good
experience for both of us."
Bereznaia and Sikharulidze train on a rotating basis when in Russia. It's
either three days of training, one day off, or five dys training and
one off. They admit it's hard work, but are enjoying themselves
immensely.
"It's a really happy partnership," adds Bereznaia. "I'm much happier
than I was in my previous partnership."
Moskvina even hints they are in love. All Bereznaia will say is "Maybe
we are a couple," adding, "ask Anton." He has no such reservations.
"Yes" is his response. So this pair is now looking towards Nagano and
a possible Olympic medal. "I've been to the Olympics before," said
Bereznaia. "But it would be great to go with Anton."
A European bronze after nine months together gives the distinct impression
that this pair will go far together. And even if an Olympic medal doesn't
come in 1998, there's still 2002.
Although they know success is derived from hard work, Bereznaia and
Sikharulidze say they owe Moskvina a great deal.
"Tamara is the best," says Bereznaia, no doubt remembering how her coach
spent time at her side during her critical hospitalization. "After my
accident I could easily have stopped, but I decided to continue and my
main goal now is just to do my best."