Vadym Kolesnik
Zingas/Kolesnik at the 2023 Skate Canada International
Native nameВадим Колесник (Ukrainian)
Other namesVadim Kolesnyk
Born (2001-10-27) October 27, 2001
Kharkiv, Ukraine
Height1.74 m (5 ft 8+1⁄2 in)
Figure skating career
Country United States
PartnerEmilea Zingas
CoachIgor Shpilband
Pasquale Camerlengo
Adrienne Lenda
Natalia Deller
Skating clubSC of New York
Began skating2006
Medal record
Representing  United States
Figure skating: Ice dance
World Junior Championships
Gold medal – first place2020 TallinnIce dance
Junior Grand Prix Final
Silver medal – second place2019–20 TorinoIce dance

Vadym Kolesnik (Ukrainian: Вадим Колесник; born October 27, 2001) is a Ukrainian-born ice dancer who competes for the United States. With his skating partner, Emilea Zingas, he is the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb bronze medalist and 2023 U.S. national pewter medalist.

With his former partner, Avonley Nguyen, he is the 2020 World Junior champion, the 2019–20 Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist, and the 2020 U.S. junior national champion. He has also won four medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series, including three golds, and qualified to the 2018–19 Junior Grand Prix Final.

Personal life

Kolesnik was born on October 27, 2001, in Kharkiv, Ukraine.[1] He moved to the United States in spring 2017.[2]

Career

Early years

Kolesnik began learning to skate as a four-year-old after his grandmother took him to a local rink.[2] The coaches at the rink did not wish to take him due to his weight, but he kept returning until one accepted him.[2] In the 2015–2016 season, he appeared internationally with Zlata Iefymenko for Ukraine. Competing in advanced novice ice dancing, they placed ninth at the 2015 Ice Star and then fourth at the 2015 NRW Trophy.[3]

2016–2017 season

In autumn 2016, Kolesnik and Avonley Nguyen of the United States had a three-week tryout in Novi, Michigan, following which he returned to Ukraine for a few months.[2] They began their partnership in February 2017.[4]

2017–2018 season: Debut of Nguyen/Kolesnik

Nguyen/Kolesnik received their first ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP) assignments in the 2017–2018 season. They placed fifth at JGP Belarus and sixth at JGP Italy. After taking gold in junior ice dancing at Midwestern Sectionals, they qualified to the 2018 U.S. Championships, where they would finish fifth.

2018–2019 season: JGP medals

Nguyen/Kolesnik at the 2019 World Junior Championships

Nguyen/Kolesnik won the silver medal at 2018 JGP Lithuania, behind Russia's Ushakova/Nekrasov, and the gold at 2018 JGP Slovenia to qualify for their first JGP Final. They placed fifth overall at the 2018–19 Junior Grand Prix Final after placing fifth in the rhythm dance and fifth in the free dance.

At the 2019 U.S. Championships, they won the silver medal behind Green/Green after placing second in the rhythm dance and winning the free dance.

At the 2019 World Junior Championships, Nguyen/Kolesnik placed fifth in the rhythm dance but moved up to fourth overall after placing third in the free dance. They were awarded a small bronze medal for the free, where they had the highest technical base value of any of the competing teams and the second-highest technical score overall.[5]

2019–2020 season: Junior World champion

Nguyen/Kolesnik at the 2019–20 JGP Final

Nguyen/Kolesnik began their Junior Grand Prix season at the 2019 JGP United States, where they placed first in both segments with personal best scores and won the gold medal. At 2019 JGP Poland, they again set personal best scores in both segments to take the title and qualify for the 2019–20 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final. Competing at the Final, Nguyen/Kolesnik narrowly lost the gold medal by only 0.16 points behind Kazakova/Reviya of Georgia at the JGP Final.[6] She commented "we're a little disappointed right now, but we’ll continue to keep on working. All our competitors were really strong. We were only a fourth of a point behind, and we felt we could push and get to the next level, but it didn’t work out."[7]

At the 2020 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, Nguyen/Kolesnik scored 184.38 total points to take the gold medal by more than 22 points. Their free dance, set to Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto No. 2," featured all positive grades of execution and eight Level 4 elements, earning 109.89 points.[8]

At the 2020 Bavarian Open, they placed first in both the rhythm dance and free dance to win the gold medal. They concluded the season at the 2020 World Junior Championships in Tallinn, Estonia, where they entered as one of the favorites for the title. Nguyen/Kolesnik placed third in the rhythm dance behind Shanaeva/Naryzhnyy and Kazakova/Reviya, after Nguyen stepped out of her twizzle sequence. She remarked they had "left a few points on the table, but now we'll focus on the free dance."[9] They won the free dance, setting a new junior world record and taking the Junior World title over Kazakova/Reviya. Nguyen said afterward, "I've dreamed about this moment for so long and to know that our work finally paid off, it just feels great!" Kolesnik indicated that they had not decided whether to move up to senior competition or remain at the junior level for another season.[10]

At the end of June, Nguyen announced that the two had split. She said she had "many happy memories" of their partnership and wished him the best as they "pursued different paths."[11] Within minutes, Kolesnik's announcement post followed. He thanked Nguyen "for all you have done for our partnership," expressed his admiration for her, and wished her all the best.[12]

2022–2023 season: Debut of Zingas/Kolesnik

After many months of searching for a new permanent partnership in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Kolesnik tried out with Cypriot-American singles skater Emilea Zingas.[13] Kolesnik would later say that "the first time I skated with Emilea I felt something special. I felt like I can be myself. She opens up in the way that I want to skate and that's how it comes out — freedom."[14] On May 15, 2022, Zingas officially announced that the two would compete together representing the United States.[15]

Zingas/Kolesnik made their international debut in December 2022 at 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb, where they won the bronze medal.[13]

After winning gold in November 2022 at the U.S. Ice Dance Final to qualify for the 2023 U.S. Championships, the team entered a dance field more open than normal due to presumptive national silver medalists Hawayek/Baker being absent due to health issues. Zingas/Kolesnik unexpectedly placed third in the rhythm dance, less than a point ahead of Zagreb gold medalists Carreira/Ponomarenko, who had erred on their twizzles.[14] After the free dance, Carreira/Ponomarenko had squeaked ahead overall by 0.32, but Zingas/Kolesnik stood on the podium as pewter medalists, a noteworthy achievement in a team's first season. Kolesnik said of the new partnership "I think we've got a match."[16]

2023–2024 season

For their free dance, Zingas proposed skating to Alan Menken's Beauty and the Beast film score, which Kolesnik was persuaded of after a "watch party."[17]

Beginning the season on the Challenger circuit, Zingas/Kolesnik finished fourth at the 2023 CS Nepela Memorial.[18] They were invited to make their Grand Prix debut at the 2023 Skate Canada International, where they placed fifth, despite a rhythm dance twizzle error.[19][17] They were fifth as well at the 2023 Grand Prix of Espoo.[20]

Programs

With Zingas

Season Rhythm dance Free dance Exhibition
2023–2024
[21]
2022–2023
[22]

With Nguyen

Season Rhythm dance Free dance Exhibition
2019–2020
[23]
    2018–2019
    [1]
    Short dance Free dance Exhibition
    2017–2018
    [24]

      Records and achievements

      Junior world record scores

      Nguyen/Kolesnik are the current junior world record holders for the free dance.

      Junior ice dance combined total records
      Date Score Event Note
      March 7, 2020 177.18 2020 World Junior Championships Later surpassed by Kateřina Mrázková / Daniel Mrázek at the 2023 World Junior Championships.
      Junior ice dance free dance
      Date Score Event Note
      March 7, 2020 108.91 2020 World Junior Championships Current junior world record holder.

      Competitive highlights

      JGP: Junior Grand Prix

      For the United States

      With Zingas

      International[18]
      Event 22–23 23–24
      GP Finland5th
      GP Skate Canada5th
      CS Golden Spin3rd2nd
      CS Nepela Memorial4th
      Lake Placid IDIWD
      National [18]
      U.S. Championships4th
      U.S. Ice Dance Final1st
      TBD = Assigned; C = Cancelled

      With Nguyen

      Nguyen/Kolesnik (left) with Kazakova / Reviya (center) and Shanaeva / Naryzhnyy (right) on the 2019–20 JGP Final podium
      International: Junior[25]
      Event 17–18 18–19 19–20
      Junior Worlds4th1st
      JGP Final5th2nd
      JGP Belarus5th
      JGP Italy6th
      JGP Lithuania2nd
      JGP Poland1st
      JGP Slovenia1st
      JGP U.S.1st
      Bavarian Open1st
      National[25]
      U.S. Championships5th J2nd J1st J
      Midwestern Sectionals1st J
      J = Junior level;
      TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew

      With Iefymenko for Ukraine

      International: Adv. novice[26]
      Event 2015–16
      Ice Star9th
      NRW Trophy4th
      Santa Claus Cup2nd

      Detailed results

      Small medals awarded only at ISU Championships. ISU personal bests highlighted in bold.

      With Zingas for the United States

      2023–2024 season
      Date Event RD FD Total
      December 6-9, 2023 2023 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb 2
      78.23      		 3
      105.09      		 2
      183.32
      November 17–19, 2023 2023 Grand Prix of Espoo 5
      72.13      		 5
      111.65      		 5
      183.78
      October 27–29, 2023 2023 Skate Canada International 5
      72.25      		 5
      112.71      		 5
      184.96
      September 28-30, 2023 2023 CS Nepela Memorial 3
      75.61      		 3
      111.67      		 4
      187.28
      2022–23 season
      Date Event RD FD Total
      January 23–29, 2023 2023 U.S. Championships 3
      78.18      		 4
      119.95      		 4
      198.13
      December 7–10, 2022 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb 3
      73.14      		 3
      110.96      		 3
      184.10

      With Nguyen for the United States

      Junior results

      Nguyen/Kolesnik at the 2019–20 JGP Final
      2019–20 season
      Date Event RD FD Total
      March 2–8, 2020 2020 World Junior Championships 3
      68.27      		 1
      108.91      		 1
      177.18
      February 3–9, 2020 2020 Bavarian Open 1
      64.13      		 1
      101.33      		 1
      165.46
      January 20–26, 2020 2020 U.S. Championships 1
      74.49      		 1
      109.89      		 1
      184.38
      December 5–8, 2019 2019–20 Junior Grand Prix Final 2
      68.72      		 2
      106.02      		 2
      174.74
      September 18–21, 2019 2019 JGP Poland 1
      69.20      		 1
      105.48      		 1
      174.68
      August 28–31, 2019 2019 JGP United States 1
      66.17      		 1
      104.63      		 1
      170.80
      2018–19 season
      Date Event RD FD Total
      March 4–10, 2019 2019 World Junior Championships 5
      65.18      		 3
      102.72      		 4
      167.90
      January 18–27, 2019 2019 U.S. Championships 2
      65.92      		 1
      105.14      		 2
      171.06
      December 7–12, 2018 2018–19 JGP Final 5
      63.73      		 5
      94.74      		 5
      158.47
      October 3–6, 2018 2018 JGP Slovenia 1
      65.41      		 1
      100.22      		 1
      165.63
      September 5–9, 2018 2018 JGP Lithuania 2
      63.40      		 2
      98.44      		 2
      161.84
      2017–18 season
      Date Event SD FD Total
      Dec. 28, 2017 – Jan. 7, 2018 2018 U.S. Championships 7
      54.02      		 4
      80.29      		 5
      134.31
      October 11–14, 2017 2017 JGP Italy 6
      52.84      		 6
      72.46      		 6
      125.30
      September 20–23, 2017 2017 JGP Belarus 5
      50.37      		 6
      64.52      		 5
      114.89

      With Iefymenko for Ukraine

      Novice results

      2015–16 season
      Date Event PD1 PD2 FD Total
      Nov. 28 – Dec. 4, 2015 2015 Santa Claus Cup 2
      11.43      		 2
      12.84      		 2
      41.28      		 2
      65.55
      November 6–8, 2015 2015 NRW Trophy 4
      11.73      		 4
      12.63      		 4
      46.86      		 4
      71.22
      October 8–11, 2015 2015 Ice Star 9
      11.16      		 6
      12.83      		 9
      42.60      		 9
      66.59

      References

      1. 1 2 "Avonley NGUYEN / Vadym KOLESNIK: 2018/2019". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 12, 2018.
      2. 1 2 3 4 "Getting to Know Avonley Nguyen & Vadym Kolesnik". ice-dance.com. July 25, 2017.
      3. ↑ "Zlata Jefimenko & Vadym Kolesnik". tracings.net.
      4. ↑ "Avonley Nguyen and Vadym Kolesnik". U.S. Figure Skating. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018.
      5. ↑ Slater, Paula (March 9, 2019). "Canada's Lajoie and Lagha take ice dance title at Junior Worlds". Golden Skate.
      6. ↑ Slater, Paula (December 6, 2019). "Georgia's Kazakova and Reviya take lead in Junior Ice Dance in Torino". Golden Skate.
      7. ↑ Slater, Paula (December 8, 2019). "Kazakova and Reviya capture first Junior Grand Prix gold for Georgia". Golden Skate.
      8. ↑ "First Junior Champions Crowned at U.S. Championships". U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone. January 22, 2020.
      9. ↑ Slater, Paula (March 5, 2020). "Shanaeva and Naryzhnyy take narrow lead at Junior Worlds". Golden Skate.
      10. ↑ Slater, Paula (March 7, 2020). "Nguyen and Kolesnik dance to Junior World title". Golden Skate.
      11. ↑ Nguyen, Avonley (2020-06-29). ""It is with many mixed emotions that I announce the end of my partnership with Vadym."" (Instagram). Archived from the original on 2021-12-24. Retrieved 2020-06-29.
      12. ↑ Kolesnik, Vadym (2020-06-29). "Avonley and I have an announcement to make. We have achieved quite a lot in just three years, but we have decided it's time to go in different direction. ..." Instagram. Archived from the original on 2021-12-24.
      13. 1 2 "Team USA Wraps up Challenger Series with Seven Medals at Golden Spin of Zagreb". U.S. Figure Skating. December 10, 2022.
      14. 1 2 Walker, Elvin (January 27, 2023). "Knierim and Frazier, Levito, Chock and Bates Take First Step Toward Gold". U.S. Figure Skating.
      15. ↑ @emileazingas (May 15, 2022). "So excited to announce our partnership" – via Instagram.
      16. ↑ Flett, Ted (January 28, 2023). "Chock and Bates repeat as US Champions". Golden Skate.
      17. 1 2 Slater, Paula (October 29, 2023). "Gilles and Poirier win fourth consecutive Skate Canada title". Golden Skate. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
      18. 1 2 3 "Competition Results: Emilia ZINGAS / Vadym KOLESNIK". International Skating Union.
      19. ↑ "Browns, Thorngren Earn Career-Best Grand Prix Finishes at Skate Canada International". U.S. Figure Skating. October 28, 2023. Retrieved October 29, 2023.
      20. ↑ Slater, Paula (November 18, 2023). "Chock and Bates take second consecutive Grand Prix gold". Golden Skate. Retrieved November 20, 2023.
      21. ↑ "Emilea ZINGAS / Vadym KOLESNIK: 2023/2024". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023.
      22. ↑ "Emilea ZINGAS / Vadym KOLESNIK: 2022/2023". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on January 27, 2023.
      23. ↑ "Avonley NGUYEN / Vadym KOLESNIK: 2019/2020". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 31, 2019.
      24. ↑ "Avonley NGUYEN / Vadym KOLESNIK: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 29, 2018.
      25. 1 2 "Avonley NGUYEN / Vadym KOLESNIK: Competition Results". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 14, 2018.
      26. ↑ "Zlata Iefymenko - Vadym Kolesnyk". Skate Ukraine.
      27. Nguyen, Avonley (April 29, 2018). "Thank you @gzuerlein" (Instagram). Archived from the original on 2021-12-24.
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