Irina Viktorovna Lobacheva (; born 18 February 1973) is a Russian former competitive ice dancer. With partner and former husband Ilia Averbukh, she is the 2002 Olympic silver medalist, the 2002 World champion and the 2003 European champion.
Career Lobacheva and Averbukh teamed up in 1992 after falling in love while skating in the same group but with different partners.
After the Goodwill Games in the summer of 1994 their coaches moved to Delaware, USA, with many of their students to train at the University of Delaware. A year later, Lobacheva / Averbukh joined them.
In September 2001, Lobacheva injured her left knee in training, causing them to miss the Grand Prix season. They won the silver medal at the 2002 Olympics behind Marina Anissina / Gwendal Peizerat.
Lobacheva / Averbukh won gold at the 2002 World Championships and at the 2003 European Championships. They retired from competition at the end of the 2002–2003 season.
She appeared in three seasons of the ice show contest Ice Age.
Personal life Lobacheva and Averbukh married in 1995. Their son, Martin, was born in 2004. They divorced in 2007.
Programs (with Averbukh)
Season Original dance Free dance Exhibition 2002–2003 The Blue Danube Unter Donner und Blitz by Johann Strauss II Surfin' Bird by The Trashmen Ooh My Soul by Little Richard Fever by Elvis Presley Jump Jive An' Wail by The Brian Setzer Orchestra 2001–2002 Tanguera by Sexteto Mayor Bulerias Magna Mafa by Thomas Espanner To Everything There is a Season Time for Peace by Rita Ronde de Vigo (Cembalo beginning and end) 2000–2001 Foxtrot: Come into my house Quickstep: Dancing Fool Toccata from Toccata and Fugue in D minor, BWV 565 Johann Sebastian Bach The Same Sun by Chris de Burgh
Hava Nagila performed by Russian Jewish Choir 1999–2000 Ritmo de Bom Bom by Vimi Rhumba de le more Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Alegría (Cirque du Soleil) Release (from Afro-Celt 2) by Sinéad O'Connor 1998–1999 Die Fledermaus The Gypsy Baron by Johann Strauss II Diablo Tutti Frutti by Little Richard 1997–1998 Tutti Frutti by Little Richard Jesus Christ Superstar by Andrew Lloyd Webber 1996–1997 Argentine Tango: The Mask This Business of Love (from The Mask) by Domino 1995–1996 Malagueña by Ernesto Lecuona O Sole Mio Santa Lucia Tarantella Malagueña 1994–1995 Sing, Sing, Sing Hava Nagila 1993–1994 Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps Hungarian Dances by Johannes Brahms
Results With Averbukh Results International Event 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 Olympics 5th 2nd Worlds 13th 15th 6th 7th 4th 4th 4th 3rd 1st 2nd Europeans 9th 5th 5th 4th 3rd 4th 3rd 3rd 1st Grand Prix Final 5th 4th 3rd 4th 2nd 1st GP Cup of Russia 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd 1st GP Int. Paris/Lalique 1st 2nd GP Nations Cup 3rd 4th GP NHK Trophy 8th 2nd 2nd 1st GP Skate America 2nd 2nd 2nd 2nd GP Skate Canada 4th 3rd Goodwill Games 2nd 2nd National Russian Champ. 2nd 3rd 3rd 1st 2nd 2nd 1st 1st 1st GP = Became part of Champions Series in 1995–96, Grand Prix from 1998 to 1999
With Pospelov Event 1991–1992 Nebelhorn Trophy 1st
References
External links
Official website of Lobacheva and Averbukh