Povilas Vanagas (; born 23 July 1970) is a Lithuanian ice dancer. With his wife Margarita Drobiazko, he is the 2000 World bronze medalist, a three-time Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, a two-time European bronze medalist (2000, 2006), the 1999 Skate Canada champion, and competed in five Winter Olympics, finishing as high as 5th.
Career Vanagas began skating at the age of three. His mother, Lilija Vanagiene, was Lithuania's national skating coach. Vanagas won six national titles in men's singles. At age 18, he was drafted into the Soviet Union army and sent to Moscow, Russian SFSR. Given a choice between becoming a soldier or skating full-time, Vanagas chose to become an ice dancer.
Tatiana Tarasova paired Vanagas with Russian ice dancer Margarita Drobiazko in Moscow. After the breakup of the Soviet Union, they decided to represent Lithuania. Vanagas said, "It was difficult at the beginning because there was a lot of friction between Russia and Lithuania. Since Rita is Russian, it caused many problems." They moved to Kaunas, Lithuania and began training with Elena Maslennikova. In 1995, they began working also in England with Betty Callaway, Jayne Torvill, and Christopher Dean.
In 1999, Drobiazko and Vanagas began spending time with Elena Tchaikovskaia in Moscow, while continuing to work with Maslennikova in Kaunas. They were also coached by Lilija Vanagiene and Anatoliy Petukhov. Drobiazko and Vanagas retired from competition following the 2001–2002 Olympic season, but returned to competition in 2005 to compete at their fifth Olympics. In preparation for the 2005–2006 season, they worked with Maslennikova, Rostislav Sinicyn, Igor Shpilband, Marina Zueva, Gintaras Svistunavicius, and David Liu, in the United States, Germany, Russia, and Lithuania. Drobiazko and Vanagas became the first and only figure skaters to compete at five Olympics. They retired again in 2006 following the World Championships.
Their choreographers included Elena Maslennikova, Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, Elena Tchaikovskaia, Tatiana Pomerantseva, Elena Kholina, Yuri Puzakov, Vasily Kleimenov, and Gintaras Svistunavicius.
In the summer of 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Vanagas played a role in a ballet Swan Lake on ice with Drobiazko in Sochi that was organized by the Kremlin. On August 10, Lithuania's president Gitanas Nausėda signed a decree stripping off the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas from both skaters.
He appeared in the first seven seasons of ice show contest Ice Age.
Personal life Vanagas is fluent in Lithuanian, Russian, Polish, and English. While competing, he was a caregiver for an elderly woman. Vanagas has been married to Drobiazko since June 2000.
In the summer of 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Vanagas and Drobiazko played a role in a ballet Swan Lake on ice in Sochi that was organized by former Olympic champion Tatiana Navka. On August 10, 2022, Lithuania's president Gitanas Nausėda signed a decree stripping off the Order of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas from both skaters.
On September 15, 2023, Lithuania's president Gitanas Nausėda signed a decree stripping Povilas Vanagas' wife and professional partner, Margarita Drobiazko, of her Lithuanian citizenship due to her "public support for the Russian federation" during its invasion of Ukraine. The couple continues their collaboration with Russian propaganda outlets.
Programs (with Margarita Drobiazko)
Season Original dance Free dance Exhibition 2006–present Saudades do Brasil em Portugal by Carminho
Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven
In the Mood For Love (Yumeji's Theme) by Shigeru Umebayashi
Valse Triste by Jean Sibelius
Exogenesis, part 2 by Muse
Moon River by Henry Mancini
Je Suis Malade by Dalida
Belyi Kon ("White Horse") by Alexander Malinin
Yeah by Usher
Let Me Fall by Josh Groban
Malaguena by Ernesto Lecuona
Hey You by Pink Floyd The Matrix Revolutions by Don Davis 2005–2006 Latin: La Playa by Miriam Jurado Banca Banca by E-Type The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber The Point of No Return Pirates of the Caribbean by Klaus Badelt The Black Pearl Will And Elizabeth Moonlight Serenade He's a Pirate 2002–2005 The Shadows of the Storm by Maxime Rodriguez
Poeta en la Mar by Vicente Amigo
My Baby by LeAnn Rimes
Possession by Ayman & Hisham 2001–2002 Spanish: Paso Doble Karida by S. Millington, T. Mercer Wilo Rose Light Symphony Orchestra Flamenco Tacon by Cuadro Flamenco Quelques Cris by Johnny Hallyday Sang Pour Sang by Johnny Hallyday 2000–2001 Quickstep and Charleston: Yes Sir, That's My Baby by Briquet, Kahn & Donaldson Dancing Fool by Gary Wilmot Spente Le Stelle by Emma Shapplin
Tango medley: Tanguera by Sexteto Mayor Tus Ojos de Cielo by Lisandro Adrover "The Thread of Ariadna" Adagio (var. 1990) by Eleni Karaindrou 1999–2000 Latin: Historia de un Amor by Carlos Almaran Ritmo de Bom Bom by Jubaba Spente Le Stelle by Emma Shapplin Torquay (From Dusk Till Dawn) by George Tomsco, The Leftovers 1998–1999 Waltz: Valse Triste by Jean Sibelius Sunrise at Alcatraz by Deep Forest 1997–1998 Jive: Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis Songs from the Victorious City by Anne Dudley, Jaz Coleman Habebe Endless Festival 1996–1997 Tango: La cumparsita by Gerardo Matos Rodríguez performed by Orchestra Tango Cafe Jazz medley: Mick's Blessings by The Style Council Moanin' by The Jazz Messengers Watermelon Man by Mongo Santamaría Dropping Bombs on the White House by The Style Council Bram Stoker's Dracula The Brides by Wojciech Kilar 1995–1996 Paso Doble: España Cani Wild at Heart by Angelo Badalamenti 1994–1995 Quickstep: Sing, Sing, Sing by Louis Prima Stepping Out Soapdish Vamos A Bailar by Gipsy Kings Fantasia by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
I Put a Spell on You by Screamin' Jay Hawkins 1993–1994 Rhumba: Besame Mucho Happy Feet by Christopher Gunning La Vie en Rose by Louis Armstrong, Édith Piaf 1992–1993 Waltz Tango by Astor Piazzolla 1991–1992 Polka Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Prokofiev
Competitive highlights (ice dance with Margarita Drobiazko)
Results International Event 1991–92 1992–93 1993–94 1994–95 1995–96 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–00 2000–01 2001–02 2004–05 2005–06 Winter Olympics 16th 12th 8th 5th 7th World Championships 17th 13th 9th 12th 8th 10th 8th 6th 3rd 5th 4th 4th European Championships 15th 11th 11th 11th 6th 8th 6th 5th 3rd 4th 4th 3rd Grand Prix Final 4th 3rd 3rd 3rd GP Nations/Sparkassen 2nd 5th 5th 2nd GP NHK Trophy 6th 5th 4th 2nd 3rd 2nd 2nd GP Skate America 2nd 3rd GP Skate Canada 2nd 8th 4th 4th 2nd 1st GP Troph. France/Lalique 4th 3rd 3rd 3rd Karl Schäfer Memorial 1st Nebelhorn Trophy 2nd 3rd 2nd Skate Israel 1st 1st Piruetten 5th Winter Universiade 2nd National Lithuanian Champ. 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st Events marked GP became part of the Champions Series in 1995, renamed Grand Prix in 1998.
References
External links
Drobiazko & Vanagas - Official website
Care to Ice Dance? - Drobiazko & Vanagas