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2002 News Archive

Janury 8 - More updates and new photos will be posted later, but I wanted to quickly post some recent news! There is a brief article about Katia on page 130 of the current issue of People magazine ("Half Their Size!" cover). The article gives an update on her life and reveals that she and Ilia were married on June 10th in San Francisco. Click the photo to view the article. Also, Katia has been performing her Russian folk routine as a guest star in several stops of the Stars On Ice tour, mostly in the western U.S. Click the link below to view Laurie's pictures from the Washington D.C. show.
• Laurie's Stars On Ice photos

December 13 - According to a news release, Katia will be performing in the 2002 Annual Coronation Ice Show on December 28th. The show will take place at the Olympic Center in Lake Placid, New York.
• " Annual Coronation Ice Show Skates Into a New Year December 28"

December 13 - I haven't had the time to update this site recently and Katia has been quite busy in the past two months! Below are details about all the events she has skated in since the last site update.

Holiday Celebration On Ice
Earlier this month, Katia skated at the Celebration On Ice holiday show in Greenville, South Carolina, performing the Russian folk routine and Mariah Carey's All I Want For Christmas Is You. The show will be televised Christmas day on NBC.
• Celebration On Ice photos
• Fran's Celebration On Ice review

Divas On Ice
On November 9, Katia skated with an all-female cast at Divas On Ice in Trenton, New Jersey. She performed a new routine, Adagio by Secret Garden, and Kaci's Paradise in addition to a trio with Kristi Yamaguchi and Yuka Sato. NBC will broadcast the show in January.
• JulesG's Divas On Ice photos:
• Paradise | Adagio | Last Train to Clarksville | Finale
• Laurie's Divas On Ice photos
• JulesG's Divas On Ice review
• Andrew Huang's Divas On Ice review

Expression On Ice
The Mohegan Sun casino in New Haven, Connecticut was host to the Expression On Ice show in October. Katia performed only one routine, the Russian folk number, at this event.
• Expression On Ice report
• Mary Lally's Expression On Ice photos

October 6 - New photos of Katia from An Evening With Scott Hamilton and Friends have been added to the Photos section of the site. Katia performed a new solo number titled Paradise, a tribute to Rosemary Clooney with Yuka Sato and Jason Dungjen, and the finale. Thank you to JulesG for sharing these photos:
• Paradise
• Rosemary Clooney Tribute & Finale

September 7 - Decorate your PC with images or Katia or G&G! Six new desktop wallpapers have been added to the Photos section:
• Desktop Wallpaper

September 1 - Katia has been added to the roster for two Expression On Ice shows that will take place October 19th and 20th. According to the ISCC web site, the location for the shows has not yet been decided. Alexei Yagudin, Kristi Yamaguchi, and ice dancers Naomi Lang and Peter Tchernyshev are also expected to perform.
• ISCC Events

August 24 - The latest issue of International Figure Skating magazine (October 2002, Alexei Yagudin cover) includes a one-page article about Katia. She says that her Lenox figurine helps to keep Sergei's memory alive and that Daria loves it, saying it looks just like Katia. Daria used to take rhythmic gymnastics lessons but has been more interested in skating in the past year. Under the instruction of her two coaches, Katia and Ilia, she has entered several competitions, sometimes winning. Katia also talks about Liza, who is now active and began walking in March. She enjoys watching the sisters interact and receives help from both grandmothers and Ilia, who is enjoying fatherhood "very much" and is referred to as Katia's spouse in the article. Katia now skates almost every day and hopes to take Liza along with her to the shows she performs in this fall. Two photos of Katia at the International Collectibles Expo in June accompany the article.

August 16 - Two more skating shows have been added to Katia's appearance schedule. A Cleveland newspaper mentioned Katia as a performer in "An Evening with Scott Hamilton and Friends On Ice." This show will take place at the Gund Arena on September 21st and will benefit the Scott CARES initiative. Other scheduled performers are Kristi Yamaguchi, Rosalynn Sumners, Jozef Sabovcik, Yuka Sato and Jason Dungjen, Renee Roca and Gorsha Sur, and Tiffany and Johnnie Stiegler. Tickets for Scott's show are now on sale through Ticketmaster. Thanks to Pat for this information! Also, the International Skating Center of Connecticut (ISCC) web site is advertising Katia for shows on December 6 and 7.
• Scott CARES
• ISCC Events

August 12 - The site has a new look for the new season! None of the site content has changed, although I plan on adding more slide shows and desktop wallpapers soon.

July 19 - Another skating event has been added to Katia's schedule! The Disson Skating web site now lists Katia as a performer in Holiday Celebration On Ice. The show will be held at the BI-LO Center in Greenville, South Carolina on December 5th and will be broadcast on NBC Christmas Day.
• Holiday Celebration On Ice

July 9 - Katia is featured on the cover of the current issue of Blades On Ice magazine dated August 2002. Click on the image to the right to view the cover full-size. Below are highlights from the four-page interview:

• Katia is enjoying living on the west coast near Los Angeles with Ilia and her two daughters.
• After Elizaveta (Liza) was born last June, she did not feel rushed to return to the ice and admits she is still not in skating form. While she returned to touring just weeks after Daria's birth in 1992, she is now enjoying her role as a stay-at-home mom without the need to get back on the ice.
• Katia says she enjoys skating in specials and one-time shows like Brian Boitano's Skating Spectacular and the All-Star Olympic Salute shows she performed in last winter because she is able to bring her family along.
• While she does not anticipate competing again or returning to Stars On Ice, Katia has great memories from touring and performing in ensembles. Her favorite routines are the tango she performed with Ilia during her last season with SOI and the 1994/95 Rolling Stones finale.
• Katia's favorite routines from her skating career are the Romeo and Juliet long program she and Sergei performed in 1990, their two Olympic long programs, and the 1994 flamenco short program. The ribbon routine is among her favorites as a solo performer.
• She enjoys Spanish music, particularly Flamenco and Brazilian music and would like to try a hip-hop or pop skating routine.
• Katia's greatest accomplishments are her children. She is also proud of her Olympic medals and cherishes her memories of skating with Sergei.
• The article summarizes her commercial ventures with Target, Rolex, and Target House. She says her current Lenox project has taken three years to complete and she is thrilled with the figurine.
• Katia is beginning to think of a time when she is no longer skating, but she still loves training and performing. She has been coaching Daria and has worked with several other children at her rink as well.
• Katia choreographed two routines for Daria that she performed at a local rink competition. Daria won the competition and is enjoying skating.
• As a conclusion, Katia says she is very thankful for her fans and she hopes they will be able to see and enjoy more this year.

Three photos accompany the interview including a Bolero photo by Kathy Goedeken, Smile photo by Barry Mittan, and a photo from her ribbon routine similar to this photo. While this new interview does not reveal any information about marriage, Katia said at the Chicago collector's exposition that she and Ilia were married five days before Liza's birth last summer. Read the entire report at the G&G Corner. A belated congratulations to Katia and Ilia!

June 10 - Katarina Witt's official web site is updated with news about the Divas On Ice show scheduled to take place on November 9th in Trenton, New Jersey. Katia is among the list of performers: Katarina Witt, Kristi Yamaguchi, Nancy Kerrigan, Ekaterina Gordeeva, Irina Slutskaya, Nicole Bobek, Yuka Sato, Caryn Kadavy, Lucinda Ruh.
• KatarinaWitt.de News and Activities

May 28 - Happy 31st Birthday, Katia!

May 28 - Katia and Ilia are pictured in feature photo for the month of May at the Blades On Ice magazine web site. The next issue of Blades will feature Katia on the cover along with an exclusive interview!
• Blades On Ice - Feature Photo
• Blades On Ice - Coming Up

May 28 - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Darcy Silvers, 215-741-7817
Darcy_Silvers@Lenox.com

Lenox Classics’ signing event at collectible expo to feature figure skater Ekaterina ‘Katia’ Gordeeva

Ekaterina Gordeeva will be in the Chicago area on Saturday, June 29, for a signing event at the International Gift & Collectible Expo in Rosemont, IL. On Saturday, the show is open to the public, and the two-time Olympic and four-time World champion skater will be on hand at the Lenox Classics booth from 10 a.m. to noon. Katia’s skating tribute to her late husband and partner, Sergei, served as the inspiration for Katia’s Celebration of Life, a Lenox Classics figurine of ivory fine china and 24 karat gold. For details, visit LenoxClassics.com.

Exclusive Signing Event with Ekaterina Gordeeva
On February 26, 1996, world-champion figure skater Ekaterina “Katia” Gordeeva performed her farewell tribute, in solo, to her late husband and partner, Sergei. That moving performance is depicted in “Katia's Celebration of Life”, a work as inspiring as the moment it captures. Authorized by Katia, the figurine is sculpted in ivory fine china, trimmed with gold and meticulously painted by hand. In this magnificent portrayal, Katia balances on one golden skate blade, her graceful arms reaching toward the heavens in an affirmation of life. Her free leg is raised at the perfect angle behind her, and her skirt swishes softly as she glides effortlessly on the ice. Katia will personally sign each figurine ordered online from www.ashleyaverys.com (or use this direct link), before April 18. For more information, visit the website, or call toll free 1-888-310-4505.

April 6 - Read the article below for details about a piece of music dedicated to Katia and Sergei that was performed at the Salt Lake Olympics:
• "Composer immortalizes Gordeeva and Grinkov through music"

April 6 - Sorry for the lack of updates! I've been busy with other projects, but will definitely focus on this site more, especially if Katia returns to skate next season <G&Gt;. The skating broadcast on the Hallmark channel last month was the 1994 Nutcracker On Ice tour starring Oksana Baiul and not a 1988 gala, so you didn't miss a G&G performance if you were unable to catch the broadcast!

March 23 - The 1988 "Gala of World Champions" show that was originally scheduled on air on the Hallmark channel on March 9 has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 24 from 1:00-2:00 PM with a repeat broadcast on March 29 from 7:00-8:00 PM. This show may or may not include a performance by G&G but is worth watching if you are able to watch this channel!

March 8 - The Hallmark channel is airing a 1988 figure skating special titled "Gala of World Champions" on Saturday, March 9th, from 6:00-7:00 PM. This show might include a performance by Gordeeva and Grinkov as they were the best amateur pair at the time so check it out just in case they are shown!

January 27 - Before you throw away the coupon supplements from today's Sunday newspaper, be sure to look for this advertisement and order form for the Katia Lenox figurine! The ad was on the last page of the "Smart Source" coupon section in my local newspaper. Click the thumbnail image to view the full-size scan of the page.

January 20 - Katia's new Russian folk routine and a duet with Tara Lipinski were aired during NBC's broadcast of the All-Star Olympic Salute on Saturday night. Katia and Tara opened the show performing spins and spirals to Neil Diamond's America. Katia's solo routine was packed with footwork which fit perfectly with the staccato Russian tune. She also landed several double jumps. Images from the broadcast have been added to the Photo Gallery:
• Russian folk routine
• "America" opening

January 18 - Katia performed in the All-Star Olympic Salute at the E Center in Salt Lake City on January 15th. She skated a duet with Tara Lipinski and a solo routine to Russian folk music. Read Sophie's report on the G&G Corner for a great review of the show. The All-Star Olympic Salute will be televised on NBC this Saturday, January 19th from 10:00-11:00 PM EST.
• "NBC to air ‘All-Star Olympic Salute’"
• All-Star Olympic Salute review at the G&G Corner

January 18 - The G&G International Fan Club is currently holding a Katia Figurine Raffle to raise funds for Target House, the temporary home for many children undergoing cancer treatments and their families, and the permanent home of the Sergei Grinkov Memorial Garden. The Raffle Drawing will take place on February 4, 2002.
• Click here for information on how to enter!

January 18 - A question about Katia was asked in Sunday's Parade magazine which is found in many newspapers nationwide. Thanks to Sarah for sending this information!

Ekaterina Gordeyeva has been absent from skating shows. Is she still linked romantically with fellow Russian skater Illya Kulik? - J. Taylor, Westminster, Calif

Yes. In fact, the two Olympic gold-medalists have a daughter, Elizaveta, born last June and a new home near LA. Kulic 23, plans tro pursue an acting career, but for now he's focusing on his skating with the Target Stars on Ice US Tour. And Gordeyeva, 30, plans to return to the ice when she's not busy with the baby and Daria, 8, her daughter by husband Sergei Grinkov, who died in 1995 at age 28.

January 10 - The Lenox figurine "Katia's Celebration of Life" is now on sale at the Lenox Classics web site. The piece, which measures 9 3/4" in height and is accented with 24-karat gold skate blades, depicts Katia performing a spin during her tribute to Sergei at Celebration Of A Life. Click the link below to view a large photo of the figurine and to purchase it online. Thanks, Alicia!
• Lenox Katia's Celebration of Life

January 7 - An article on the Stars On Ice web site that was posted in October provides a little more information about the Olympic preview show that Katia is scheduled to perform in according to TV Guide. This article indicates that it's a two-hour show featuring "the biggest names in music, comedy and figure skating." Thanks to Michelle for the heads up!
• "Allstate presents All-Star Olympic Salute - Countdown to Salt Lake "

January 6 - Katia may be making another skating appearance very soon! TV Guide lists her as a performer during NBC's Olympic preview show on Saturday, January 19 from 10-11 PM EST. The following show description appears in TV Guide online. Thanks, Natalie!

All-Star Olympic Salute
60 min.
Bob Costas hosts a preview of the 2002 winter events, from Salt Lake City's E Center, featuring footage of the torch run; music by Toby Keith; and ice-skating exhibitions from previous medalists Scott Hamilton, Tara Lipinski and Ekaterina Gordeeva. Also: a roundup of memorable Olympic moments.

January 1 - Screen grabs from the NBC broadcast of Brian Boitano's Skating Spectacular have been added to the Photo Gallery. Katia was featured in the opening number to Pink's Get This Party Started and the Beautiful Day closing as well as her solo ribbon number. She also performed a new Russian folk number in the show but it was not televised on NBC. As segues to commercial breaks, the skaters were asked what their New Year's resolutions would be and Katia responded, "to find balance in skating and family, to keep it all together to make it work." Click the links below to view the screen grabs from the show. Enjoy!
• Petrarch Sonnet ribbon routine photos
• Opening, closing, and practice photos