Liubov Ilyushechkina
Full nameLiubov Ivanovna Ilyushechkina
Native nameЛюбовь Ивановна Илюшечкина
Other namesLubov Iliushechkina
Born (1991-11-05) 5 November 1991
Moscow, Russia
Height1.53 m (5 ft 0 in)
Figure skating career
CountryCanada
CoachRichard Gauthier
Skating clubToronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club
Began skating1996
Medal record
Figure skating: Pairs
Representing  Canada
Four Continents Championships
Bronze medal – third place2017 GangneungPairs
Representing  Russia
Winter Universiade
Gold medal – first place 2011 ErzurumPairs
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place2009 SofiaPairs
Silver medal – second place2008 SofiaPairs
Junior Grand Prix Final
Gold medal – first place2008–09 Goyang CityPairs

Liubov Ivanovna Ilyushechkina (Russian: Любовь Ивановна Илюшечкина, born 5 November 1991) is a Russian-born Canadian pair skater.[1]

Ilyushechkina began competing for Canada with Dylan Moscovitch in 2014, and they were the 2017 Four Continents bronze medalists, two-time bronze medalists on the Grand Prix series, and three-time Canadian national medalists (silver in 2015 and 2017, bronze in 2016). Their partnership ended with Moscovitch's retirement in 2018. With former partner, Charlie Bilodeau, she is the 2020 Canadian Bronze medalist.

Ilyushechkina formerly represented Russia with Nodari Maisuradze. Together, they won the 2010 Skate Canada International, 2011 Winter Universiade, and 2009 World Junior Championships.

Personal life

Ilyushechkina was born on November 5, 1991, in Moscow, Russia.[2] She became a Canadian citizen on September 21, 2017.[3][4]

Early years

Ilyushechkina began skating at the age of four or five in Moscow.[5] Her coach, Lubov Fedoshchenko, suggested she try pair skating and took her to Saint Petersburg to train under Natalia Pavlova in 2006.[5]

Partnership with Maisuradze

Ilyushechkina began skating with Nodari Maisuradze in April 2006.[6] Though initially skeptical, coach Natalia Pavlova decided to work with them because she had no pairs at the time and grew impressed by their commitment.[5] In September of that year, Pavlova moved to Moscow and the pair followed her.[5]

2007–08 season

During the 2007–08 season, Ilyushechkina/Maisuradze took silver at the 2008 Junior Worlds and placed fourth at the senior Russian Nationals.

2008–09 season

During the 2008–09 season, they won the World Junior title, along with gold at the Junior Grand Prix Final. They also competed at the senior level, winning the bronze at Russian Nationals and placing fifth at their first European Championships. They earned a berth to 2009 Worlds but were forced to withdraw due to an injury to Maisuradze. He injured ligaments in his hand in a skiing accident.[7] They were replaced by Ksenia Ozerova / Alexander Enbert.

2009–10 season

During the 2009–10 season, Ilyushechkina/Maisuradze placed third in the short program at 2009 Cup of China and achieved their personal best score of 62.54. However, they struggled in the long program, finishing seventh in that segment, and fifth overall. At Russian Nationals, they also struggled and finished in fourth.[8] After the difficult season, they made some adjustments in training.[7]

2010–11 season

Ilyushechkina/Maisuradze began the 2010–11 season by capturing the gold at 2010 Skate Canada, their first medal on the senior Grand Prix circuit. Only a week later, they competed at the 2010 Cup of China and placed fourth. Their results qualified them for their first Grand Prix Final at the senior level. They finished fourth, setting new personal bests in the long program (117.38) and combined total (177.44). At the 2011 Russian Nationals, they placed sixth in the short program and fourth in the long, to finish fifth overall. They were named to the 2011 Winter Universiade team but missed the European and World teams. Ilyushechkina/Maisuradze won the gold medal at the Winter Universiade.

2011–12 season

In the 2011–12 season, Ilyushechkina/Maisuradze competed at 2011 Skate Canada, where they placed 5th, and 2011 NHK Trophy, where they finished sixth. They were sixth at the 2012 Russian Championships. In March 2012, their coach, Natalia Pavlova, confirmed that their partnership had ended.[9]

Partnership with Kocon

Ilyushechkina contacted French pair skater Yannick Kocon after learning he was available.[10] In May 2012, it was reported that they hoped to skate for France but the Russian skating federation was unwilling to release her.[11] Their partnership ended without any international appearances.

Partnership with Moscovitch

After Canadian skater Dylan Moscovitch contacted Ilyushechkina via her Facebook page, the two arranged a tryout, which took place in Detroit in mid-May 2014.[12] On June 3, 2014, a news report stated that they had decided to form a partnership coached by Lee Barkell and Bryce Davison at the Toronto Cricket, Skating and Curling Club.[13] The pair continued training in Detroit until Ilyushechkina received a Canadian visa, in late June.[14] Moscovitch stated, "We have different lifts and different throw and twist techniques. [...] We are still ironing everything out to see what works best for both of us as a team."[14] In mid-October 2014, the Russian Skating Federation announced that they had released Ilyushechkina.[15][16]

2014–15 season

Ilyushechkina/Moscovitch started their career together by winning an ISU Challenger Series (CS) event, the 2014 Warsaw Cup. After winning the 2014 Skate Canada Challenge, they qualified for the 2015 Canadian Championships where they were awarded the silver medal behind defending champions Meagan Duhamel / Eric Radford. They were named in Canada's team to the 2015 Four Continents, where they finished 7th, and the 2015 World Championships, where they came in thirteenth.[17]

2015–16 season

Ilyushechkina/Moscovitch's first assignment of the 2015–16 season was the 2015 Ondrej Nepela Trophy, a CS event, where they finished fourth. They received two Grand Prix assignments, the 2015 Cup of China and 2015 NHK Trophy,[18] where they respectively placed seventh and fifth. They won the bronze medal at the 2016 Canadian Championships.

In February, Ilyushechkina/Moscovitch placed fifth at the 2016 Four Continents Championships in Taipei, having ranked fifth in both segments. In April, they finished seventh at the 2016 World Championships in Boston after placing eighth in the short program and sixth in the free skate.

2016–17 season

Starting their season on the Challenger Series, Ilyushechkina/Moscovitch won silver at the 2016 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. In October 2016, they stepped onto their first Grand Prix podium, receiving bronze at the 2016 Skate Canada International. The following month, they won bronze at another Grand Prix event, the 2016 Cup of China.

In January 2017, the pair obtained silver at the Canadian Championships. In February, they won the bronze medal at the 2017 Four Continents Championships in Gangneung, South Korea. They reached a career-best sixth place at the 2017 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Their placement combined with the seven-place finish of Duhamel/Radford guaranteed Canada three spots at the 2018 Winter Olympics.[19]

2017–18 season

Ilyushechkina became a Canadian citizen in September of 2017, which was necessary to qualify to attend to the Olympics.[19] The pair began the season at the 2017 CS Finlandia Trophy, where they finished in fourth place. They finished sixth at the 2017 Skate Canada International and fourth at the 2017 Internationaux de France.

Competing at the 2018 Canadian Championships, the outcome of which would decide the composition of the Canadian Olympic team, Ilyushechkina/Moscovitch placed fourth. Both made errors in the free program, with Ilyushechkina falling on a throw triple Lutz.[20] As a result, they were instead sent to the 2018 Four Continents Championships, where they also finished fourth. This would prove to be their last event together, as Moscovitch announced his retirement afterward. Ilyushechkina stated that she would examine her options in the coming months.[21]

Partnership with Bilodeau

Following the end of her partnership with Moscovitch, Ilyushechkina toured with Cirque du Soleil.[22] On March 4, 2019, Skate Canada announced that she had formed a new competitive partnership with Charlie Bilodeau, who had split up his previous partnership with Julianne Séguin at the end of the 2017–18 season. They planned to train in Montreal with coaches Richard Gauthier and Bruno Marcotte. She described herself as "thankful for being given this opportunity to realize my stored potential."[1]

2019–20 season

Ilyushechkina/Bilodeau made their competitive debut at the 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy. Placing third in the short program and second in the free skate, they won the bronze medal, less than a point behind silver medalists Alisa Efimova / Alexander Korovin. Describing her return to the ice, Ilyushechkina said she was "nervous but it was exciting."[23] For their Grand Prix debut, the team began at 2019 Skate Canada International, where they were fifth.[24] At their second Grand Prix, the 2019 Cup of China, they placed second in the short program with their third consecutive short program score of around 68 points, what Ilyushechkina deemed their "lucky 68".[25] They were third in the free skate after a number of jump and throw errors, taking the bronze medal overall. Bilodeau said "it means a lot to us to have won a medal in only our second Grand Prix together. It shows that it was a good decision to come back and to skate together."[26]

Entering the 2020 Canadian Championships favoured to win the silver medal, Ilyushechkina/Bilodeau placed second in the short program behind defending champions Moore-Towers/Marinaro, and slightly ahead of defending silver medalists Walsh/Michaud. Ilyushechkina's underrotation on her triple toe loop was the only program error.[27] In the free skate, she underrotated on both side-by-side jumps and fell on both throw jump attempts, dropping them to third place overall. Ilyushechkina afterward described it as "one blended set of errors" that left her "very unsatisfied."[28] At the 2020 Four Continents Championships, they had several errors in both programs, placing seventh, again behind Walsh/Michaud, who were sixth.[29][30] As a result, Skate Canada assigned Walsh/Michaud to Canada's second pairs berth at the 2020 World Championships.[31]

On April 16, Bilodeau announced his retirement from the sport. Once again, Ilyushechkina will be evaluating her options in coming the months.[32]

Programs

With Bilodeau

Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2019–2020
[33]

With Moscovitch

Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2017–2018
[2]
2016–2017
[35]
2015–2016
[37][38]
  • Since I've Been Loving You
    by Led Zeppelin
    choreo. by David Wilson
2014–2015
[39]
  • Feeling Good
    performed by Michael Bublé
    choreo. by David Wilson

With Maisuradze

Ilyushechkina and Maisuradze with coach Natalia Pavlova
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2011–2012
[6]
2010–2011
[40]
  • Figaro
    (from The Barber of Seville)
    by Gioachino Rossini
    (modern arrangement)
  • La Comédie
    by unknown
2009–2010
  • Conquest of Paradise
    by Vangelis
  • La Comédie
    by unknown
2008–2009
[41]
2007–2008
[42]
  • We Are The Champions
    by Queen

Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

With Bilodeau for Canada

International[43]
Event 19–20
Four Continents7th
GP Cup of China3rd
GP Skate Canada5th
CS Finlandia Trophy3rd
National[43]
Canadian Champ.3rd
TBD = Assigned

With Moscovitch for Canada

International[44]
Event 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18
Worlds13th7th6th
Four Continents6th5th3rd4th
GP Bompard4th
GP Cup of China7th3rd
GP NHK Trophy5th
GP Skate Canada3rd6th
CS Finlandia Trophy4th
CS Nebelhorn Trophy2nd
CS Ondrej Nepela4th
CS Warsaw Cup1st
National[45]
Canadian Champ.2nd3rd2nd4th
SC Challenge1st
TBD = Assigned

With Maisuradze for Russia

Ilyushechkina and Maisuradze at 2008 Junior Worlds
International[46]
Event 07–08 08–09 09–10 10–11 11–12
Europeans5th
GP Final4th
GP Cup of China5th4th
GP Cup of Russia4th
GP NHK Trophy6th
GP Skate Canada1st5th
Golden Spin1st
Nepela Memorial3rd
Universiade1st
International: Junior[46]
Junior Worlds2nd1st
JGP Final1st
JGP Belarus1st
JGP Czech Rep.1st
National[47]
Russian Champ.4th3rd4th5th6th
Russian Junior2nd

References

  1. 1 2 "Lubov Ilyushechkina and Charlie Bilodeau to compete in pairs together". Skate Canada. March 4, 2019.
  2. 1 2 "Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Dylan MOSCOVITCH: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 17, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  3. ↑ Stinson, Scott (September 20, 2017). "Figure skater Moscovitch crosses off important pre-Olympic task". Postmedia Network. Toronto Sun.
  4. ↑ Etchells, Daniel (September 23, 2017). "Russian-born figure skater Ilyushechkina granted Canadian citizenship". insidethegames.biz.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Flade, Tatjana (27 September 2008). "Iliushechkina and Maisuradze: From 'Hopeless Case' to Top Contenders". GoldenSkate.com.
  6. 1 2 "Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 2 September 2012.
  7. 1 2 Flade, Tatjana (19 January 2011). "Iliushechkina and Maisuradze Unexpected Success". International Figure Skating. Archived from the original on 24 July 2011.
  8. ↑ Kondakova, Anna (26 December 2009). "Kavaguti and Smirnov win third consecutive national title". GoldenSkate.com. Retrieved 2010-11-01.
  9. ↑ Simonenko, Andrei (21 March 2012). Пара Илюшечкина/Маисурадзе распалась из-за ухода фигуристки - тренер [Coach: The pair of Iliushechkina/Maisuradze has split because she left]. rsport.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 6 April 2012.
  10. ↑ Haubry, Claire (23 July 2012). "Sur la glace yonnaise, des perles rares du patinage" [Rare skating gems on Yonnaise ice]. Ouest-France (in French). Archived from the original on 28 December 2013.
  11. ↑ Simonenko, Andrei (21 May 2012). Фигуристке Илюшечкиной нельзя запрещать выступать за Францию - Великов [Figure skater Iliushechkina should not be blocked from competing for France, according to Velikov]. rsport.ru / RIA Novosti (in Russian). Archived from the original on 28 December 2013.
  12. ↑ Ewing, Lori (November 18, 2014). "Moscovitch happy for fresh start with new figure skating partner Iliushechkina". Waterloo Region Record. The Canadian Press.
  13. ↑ Milton, Steve (3 June 2014). "Pairs skater Dylan Moscovitch finds Russian partner". The Hamilton Spectator. Archived from the original on 18 June 2014. Retrieved 3 June 2014.
  14. 1 2 Russell, Susan D. (October 19, 2014). "Lubov Iliushechkina & Dylan Moscovitch". IFS Magazine. Archived from the original on October 21, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Canada lands Russian pairs figure skater". Associated Press. 15 October 2014.
  16. ↑ Любовь Илюшечкина будет выступать за Канаду [Lubov Iliushechkina will compete for Canada]. FSRussia.ru (in Russian). Figure Skating Federation of Russia. 15 October 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  17. ↑ Slater, Paula (28 September 2015). "Ilyushechkina and Moscovitch set 'bigger' goals". Golden Skate.
  18. ↑ "ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating- Pairs" (PDF). International Skating Union. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 25 July 2015.
  19. 1 2 Russell, Susan D. (October 22, 2017). "Lubov Iliushechkina & Dylan Moscovitch: Olympic Inspiration". IFS Magazine.
  20. ↑ Flett, Ted (January 14, 2018). "Duhamel and Radford dominate for seventh win". GoldenSkate.com.
  21. ↑ "Olympic Medallist Dylan Moscovitch Retiring from Competitive Skating". Skate Canada. April 10, 2018.
  22. ↑ Skate Canada [@skatecanada] (June 1, 2018). "#Update Lubov Ilyushechkina will be joining @Cirque du Soleil! Lubov took this new challenge after her partner Dylan Moscovitch retired from skating in April. She is looking forward to this unique opportunity that Cirque will provide to further enhance her style of performing!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  23. ↑ "New Canadian pairs duo Bilodeau, Ilyushechkina win bronze at Finlandia Trophy". CBC Sports. October 12, 2019.
  24. ↑ Slater, Paula (October 27, 2019). "Boikova and Kozlovskii maintain overnight lead for Skate Canada gold". Golden Skate.
  25. ↑ Slater, Paula (November 8, 2019). "Sui and Han lead in first competition of the season in Chongqing". Golden Skate.
  26. ↑ Slater, Paula (November 9, 2019). "Sui and Han reclaim Cup of China title". Golden Skate.
  27. ↑ Slater, Paula (January 17, 2020). "Moore-Towers and Marinaro captivate at Canadian Nationals". Golden Skate.
  28. ↑ Flett, Ted (January 18, 2020). "Moore-Towers and Marinaro defend national title in Mississauga". Golden Skate.
  29. ↑ Slater, Paula (February 6, 2020). "Moore-Towers and Marinaro edge out Chinese in Pairs Short". Golden Skate.
  30. ↑ Slater, Paula (February 8, 2020). "Sui and Han bounce back for sixth Four Continents title". Golden Skate.
  31. ↑ "Nam Nguyen added to Canada's world championship figure skating team". Vancouver Courier. February 13, 2020.
  32. ↑ "Charlie Bilodeau retires from competitive skating". Skate Canada. April 16, 2020.
  33. ↑ "Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Charlie BILODEAU: 2019/2020". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 13, 2019.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  34. ↑ ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2017 Skate Canada International - Gala Exhibition (Television production). Eurosport. October 29, 2017.
  35. ↑ "Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Dylan MOSCOVITCH: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 30, 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  36. 1 2 "Stars on Ice - Music: 2017 Investors Group Stars on Ice presented by Lindt". Stars on Ice. Archived from the original on May 23, 2017. Retrieved May 23, 2017.
  37. ↑ Rutherford, Lynn (July 28, 2015). "Donlan, Bartholomay dazzle with risqué 'Chicago'; Iliushechkina, Moscovitch ahead of schedule; Tran struggles on jumps". IceNetwork.
  38. ↑ "Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Dylan MOSCOVITCH: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 27, 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  39. ↑ "Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Dylan MOSCOVITCH: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 20, 2015.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  40. ↑ "Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011.
  41. ↑ "Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE: 2008/2009". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 22 May 2009.
  42. ↑ "Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 3 March 2008.
  43. 1 2 "Competition Results: Liubov ILYUSHECHKINA / Charlie BILODEAU". International Skating Union.
  44. ↑ "Competition Results: Liubov ILYUSHECHKINA / Dylan MOSCOVITCH". International Skating Union.
  45. ↑ "Lubov Ilyushechkina and Dylan Moscovitch". Skate Canada.
  46. 1 2 "Competition Results: Lubov ILIUSHECHKINA / Nodari MAISURADZE". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 11 November 2013.
  47. ↑ Любовь Ивановна Илюшечкина [Lubov Ivanovna Iliushechkina] (in Russian). fskate.ru.

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