April 22, 2002:
Ilia advised yesterday that Tom Collins asked them to appear in COI at a later date, not as planned now after returning from Russia for the remainder of April. This might not be possible as Ilia and Ira are scheduled for the "Russian Tour" which will have approximately 5 shows through Siberia starting May 4. Once further details are set with COI, it will be posted here.
Irina's knee has swallen up again and right after the Russian tour she will have a little surgery done. All doctor's have advised that it is necessary to do so and then do some rehabilitation. Ira and Ilia are looking forward to relax afterwards before returning to Delaware at the end of June for the next season.
They are happy about their decision to stay for another season as even Courtney Jones had asked them to do so for ice dance.

April 18, 2002:
A new interview has been posted, which was conducted after Masters Miko.

April 9, 2002:
Now after skating in France they have returned to the US to be part of the Champions on Ice Olympic tour. They are scheduled for 15 stops, after which they will go to Moscow.

March 22, 2002:
CONGRATULATIONS to the new World Champions!

February 26, 2002:
I added an interview from Russian TV on the site. I thought it is very cute. It was made in the summer 2001, before they resumed training for this season.
Irina and Ilia have confirmed to me on the phone that they will go to Worlds and have her knee fixed this summer. They are also scheduled for an exhibition in Monaco on March 29 and after that Masters Miko in Paris!

February 20, 2002:
YEAH!!!! Well, I am so very happy about them being second in all parts of the competition. It is still like a dream. Was able to congratulate Irina on the phone and needless to say she was very happy. What a great birthday present. It was even close to first place and certainly when you see you are that close you start thinking what if. But those are only little thoughts, but natural for sportsmen. Silver is just absolutely wonderful.
CONGRATULATIONS to a job done just exquisitely!

February 06, 2002:
The CDs for the Olympics have been drawn! They are:
Blues and Quickstep
Irina and Ilia had said they would love to have Blues and Golden Waltz. Well, they get one of them :-)>br> On the one hand Ilia said they are sorry that no spectators may watch trainings in SLC but on the other hand it is good for practising for all couples that way. The ice is good! They are trying to stay calm and to just imagine it is a regular competition in order to not increase the pressure they are already getting.

January 09, 2002:
3 more special pictures from the Delaware trip are in the off ice section. Enjoy!

December 14, 2001:
They debuted their programs last weekend at a Christmas show in Virginia. Ilia was not too happy about the skate as he says they were so nervous. On the weekend there are shows in Delaware. So if anyone is in the area please go and look!
Their new costumes are a surprise, as they will be getting them in Moscow. In one week they are travelling to Russia in preparation for Russian Nationals, where according to Ilia "we have to skate perfectly". They will be staying for New Year and then going back to Delaware to get ready for Europeans.
Irina's knee is better (painwise), but they still take out water as it continues to swell up. He apologised for not being able to show their programs earlier and says "hello" to all their fans.

November 23, 2001:
Just this morning I talked to Ilia and asked about the shoulder injury that was supposed to be the reason for cancelling CoR and NHK. He was very surprised and didnīt know what I was talking about at all. There is NO shoulder injury. The same doctor's attest was sent to CoR and NHK, which clearly states Irinaīs knee injury. CoR was still uncertain before I had left for Lalique. Since Ira's knee swell up again during practise and they had to remove water twice from it, the risk and the streign of competition would be too high as the doctor warned. Ira & Ilia are so disappointed not to go to NHK, because they finally want to show their new programs and get some feed-back. They do a rigorous on-ice-practise each day but Ira is closely monitored by the doctor. Gennadi said that both programs look very strong already in practise. At least Mr Gorshkov will come in December to view the program, before it is performed finally at Russian Nationals, which is the last comp before Euros.
It is also a big financial loss which is putting more stress to the situation as it is. Of course, all skaters put in enormous effort and have a lot of expenses especially for an olympic season. They want to make sure they don't leave out a chance to improve choreagraphy, costumes and what not... Therefore I&I counted on the Grand Prix events for this season. Now there are four comps. missing just like that! The disappointment in Ilia's voice just makes me wish Irina the best recovery and an afterall successful season.
(I know they would appreciate tremendously any cheerful words to their web page.)

November 12, 2001:
Update on Irina's knee injury:
They are training! However, Irina is still sometimes in pain. They want to decide within the next days if they can compete at Cup of Russia. If they have to withdraw from this event, there will be no possibility for them to qualify for the Grand Prix Final.
However, they are very happy about their new programs. They are looking forward to showing their OD (Tango and Flamenco) and their FD which was created as a tribute for peace and comfort against terrorism all over the world.

November 1, 2001:
Irina and Ilia had to withdraw from their first Grand Prix, which would have been Sparkassen Cup in Gelsenkirchen. Irina injured her knee. We wish her a full recovery and hope to see their new programs at Cup of Russia.

October 23, 2001:
I forgot to write that we were also allowed into the off-ice ballet practise. Everybody that skated, has to attend a 1 hour ballet class before the evening ice session. Vitaly, the ballet coach was very nice and even put a mat on the ground for us to sit on. We really felt kind of stupid sitting in front of the mirror and watching everyone sweat. They are having three different classes that switch off each day.
We got to see two of them. One is a regular work-out class with lots of streching, muscle work-outs on the floor. The other is a typical classical ballet class. There is a big newspaper article outside the ballet room, which is above the skating rink, to explain how important body control is for skating. Ballet is the best way to find that perfect control and center in your body. The enthusiasm was not so big among the skaters but all did their best and worked hard. Towards the end of this class they did different twizzles and jumps in a diagonal through the room. That was funny because skaters kept almost falling into us and we felt like we had to duck to be safe.
The class we unfortunately were not able to see, is as Ilia calls it the Spanish class. We all are able to imagine though, that they practise the typical Flamenco-, Tango- and Paso-type moves and positions.
After class the ballet coach went through different positions with I&I which were later perfected on the ice. The Japanese couple sat down in front of the mirror, side by side, played the music of the Golden waltz and only practised their facial impression. That was quite an unusual sight!

October, 2001:
Report about the trip to Newark between Oct. 3-7,2001
Tanja and I (Sonja) visited Ira and Ilia at their trainings site in Newark, Delaware. Ilia was kind enough to invite us to come. He even came to meet us at the airport in Philadelphia.

Of course we went to their practise the next day at 9 o'clock. The thing that jumped right into our eyes was how disciplined everyone was on the ice. All couples did CD's for 2 hours, despite Gennadi not being there. He was at the Finlandia Trophy. The only coach there was N. Linitchuk and the ballett instructor. He helped a lot with line and expression. Linitchuk handled it somehow to still give her attention to a lot of couples at the same time. There were the Ukrainian, the Swiss, a Japanese couple, an Israelian and I think two American couples and of course Ira and Ilia.

Since Ilia wants to keep the FD a surprise I may not go into detail of what we saw there. So I just come out on a few thing.
The OD is a big technical treat! The SBS sequence is as hard as you would dream of!!! Talking to Natalia she said that she is so happy about this OD because it is out of this world. She called Ira and Ilia enormously talented people. The most talented she had since Gritchuk & Platov, when it comes to skating technique. Natalia praised her students in a very suddle way. Linitchuk said, that their work is incredible because they have known each other for years and they know and finish each others thoughts. Natalia was very charming all the time we were there.
It was funny to see her in a ski suit, plus a heavy jaket, plus huge thick fury boots, when you are used to seeing her all dressed up at competitions.
The evening practise is scheduled for 9 pm and lasts however long they want to skate. They finished once at 1am, when we were there. This schedule is very hard because the day is always split into two. When they come home from the late practise they cannot sleep right away. So they are up sometimes till 4am. Then the next practise at 9 am. They try to sleep another 4 hours in the afternoon. Due to this they always feel tired. My...that canīt be healthy...and this for years!

Here is the biggest news:
Talking to Ilia, he explained that Ira, Natalia and he were so touched by what happened in New York and Washington. They are feeling so much with the American people, because this is there home right now. Their originally planned FD was Sabre Dance. They wanted to do an energetic interpretation of it and had the program almost ready. Keeping practising to this music, they more and more realised the music portrays fighting....fighting with sabres. Since such a program is the last they wanted to perform in a world like this, they reconsidered and did not feel the spirit of this music anymore.
So shortly after the attack, they came back to a music Natalia had for quite some time. They had thought about skating to it before. They think this is the right time to use this music. If you read this again, once you hear the music, you will understand why I say, it is the right TIME... They want to portray peace and comfort through their program. The things Ira and Ilia wish for most, like the rest of the sane world does too.

They say it was easy to choreograph this program, because Linitchuk and they feel the music so well. It is nearly finished already and only needs finetuning. The pieces fell and keep falling into place naturally.

They donīt know the music title because the CD was sent to Natalia by someone from Russia. They will have to investigate the official name to the music yet. Also Ilia does not want us to reveal much about the music. I understand why skaters want to keep their music choice as a surprise. Just imagine reading a book...you start forming your own imagination, when you see the movie you will most likely be disappointed because it will never match your imagination. I caught myself doing this in skating.

In the beginning of the season they tried to get help by Boris Eifman, a world famous ballett choreographer in St. Petersburg. Unfortunately he had other engagenments to meet. Because he was really interested in working with skaters, he sent Ilia a video tape of his work. Ilia said he actually did get a lot of ideas and help from only watching the tape.

In practise it was interesting to see that Natalia has Ilia skate to the music on his own. She and Ira watch him and Natalia can see how he would interprete the music. Sometimes she will pick certain moves out and they perfect them together. This way she makes sure moves in the programs are never put onto a student but rather are really felt inside from each one. They also have incredible lifts.
Ira is a workaholic. Sometimes Natalia even has to slow down her ambitions. She keeps pushing on and on. They are so patient in practising the same thing over and over again.

Now comes the special personal treats Ira and Ilia had in store for us! Ilia took us for lunch at the Cafeteria of the University of Delaware while Ira had another appointment. This is where he explained a lot about the programs and also asked about our opinions. Both of them are always so much interested about other thoughts and ideas. Ilia also talked about that the happenings in the US have put a lot of things into perspective and his attitude to his work has shifted a bit. He used to skate only to win. Now he does it more for the enjoyment for people like us and their own. Nevertheless he added they did not loose their fighting spirit, because without it you are dead.
He gave us fabolous instructions to a beach about 1,5 hours away from Newark. Ira&Ilia go their about 4-5 times a year only but we surly did have a wonderful time there. We just wished they could have gone with us to take some pictures at the beach. We were very very very fortunate as it is and we cannot ask for anymore because Ilia even took us skating. It was one of those life time experiences and still is a huge WoW-effect. He could be such a gentle and patient coach some day. He has a way of giving you confidence, eventhough you have no idea of what you are doing. It's too bad guys like him arenīt for rent at my skating rink :-)
Then he showed us the Russian house. It is a very old house in bad shape. It is owned by UC Delaware and not taken care of very well. When we entered, Grushina and Goncharov, the Ballett instructor Vitaly and a single skater were eating lunch. Ira and Ilia shared a rather small room with a tiny bed for years. The room faces a quite busy street even a car ran into the bedroom once. Ilia hated looking at a grave yard every day.
They finally were able to get an own appartment but rent is outrageous. Ira invited us to their home. She prepared about a ton of fresh food, everything neatly cut and decorated. They live in the same appartment complex like Oleg Ovsiannikov. They have a little balcony, a living room which has only a sofa with very pretty lights next to it and a TV, on the wall bunches of Russian videos. Next to the kitchen there is a little eating area. We even got a look in their bedroom, too. Ira loves everthing neat and clean and that it was!! I just couldnīt convice her to come to my house to clean it too.
They showed us a video about their vacation from Russia with their family and from Turkey a year ago.

Again we were so much impressed about their warmness and openess to us and we want to thank them for being as they are and wish them the best for this season!

Find pictures from the trip here.

July 10, 2001:
After the German Stars on Ice tour and the shows in St Petersburg Ilia and Irina enjoyed time off with their families in Moscow. Before returning to the US they also spent 2 weeks in Socchi. This is a Russian resort at the Black Sea. They relaxed mainly but also did workouts to be in shape for the long important season which is ahead of them. Now being in Delaware they are working hard on the new programs with their coaches and choreographer.

As previously announced they will take part in the Goodwill Games in Australia at the beginning of September. Good Luck! Udachi!

April 25, 2001:
Here is a short quote from both Ira and Ilia after finishing the German tour:
Ilia: "We really enjoyed the Germany Tour. The audience reveived us very well, we hadn't expected that. It was fun, but it was pretty cold in some ice rinks! The audience in a village called Jonsdorf was the best, but in Berlin it was very bad. They are probably spoiled in the capital. Overall, the tour was a great opportunity for us."
Irina: "We were very tired, because of the jetlag and also because it was a long and hard season. Usually, we go home after the season and relax in Moscow, I just sleep. My mother says - how can a person sleep so much?"
The shows in Russia are done as well and they are now enjoying time with their families in Moscow and heading off to a deserved vacation!

April 11, 2001:
Irina and Ilia are currently touring with the German Stars on Ice. In their first show in Regensburg they presented a new exhibition dance to "Hava Nagila" in a version sung by a Russian Jewish choir. It is a very nice version of that song and it suits Ira and Ilia perfectly. It is fast, funny music and this side is what a lot of people like to see from them. Well done!
On the Russian Figure Skating Site you can find a short interview with Irina.

March 29, 2001:
What a week of skating in Vancouver. The dance event was very exciting and Ilia and Irina have won their first medal at a World Championship, the bronze! Congratulations to them and thanks to all their fans who supported them!

The season is not yet over for the two. As previously mentioned they will be in Germany at the beginning of April and after that tour they are scheduled to skate in St Petersburg, Russia in 2 shows organized by Alexei Urmanov. This will be on April 21. There is a chance that some more cities in Russia are added for a tour. After that they will be going to Moscow to get a well deserved rest. Before going back to the USA on June 20 they will do lots of off-ice training and will start working on choreography for next season.
They will also be competing in the Goodwill Games in Australia at the end of August.

February 22, 2001:
Irina and Ilia have been invited to skate in the German Stars on Ice tour by Daniel Weiss. It will take place from April 4 to April 16, about 1 1/2 weeks after Worlds. This is a great opportunity for them! Find more info about the tour schedule on the webpage of Spotlight Productions.

February 5, 2001: Read the latest interview which took place after the European Championships here.

January 31, 2001:
Congratulations to Ira and Ilia for skating just wonderfully at the European Championships and for winning the bronze medal!!! Here is a message from them to all their fans:

"A very big thanks to all our fans for continuing to support us after a very bad season with a lot of losses. Thank you for not turning away from us and for not forgetting us. We also encourage you to bring critique to our attention. It is important for us to know , so we can improve. Thanks for being there!"
Ilia and Irina

December 28, 2000:
Yesterday during Russian Nationals Irina and Ilia received their first ever 6.0! It was rewarded in the OD for presentation.

December 11, 2000:
Find a review about Lalique written by Asli here.

November 27, 2000:
They skated even better at Lalique than at Cup of Russia. They are truly back and this was the most important to proove. They were even placed first in the OD by 6 of the nine judges, which shows they are on the right track.
Irina and Ilia were invited to skate in the 2 "Art on Ice" shows in Cologne and Oberhausen on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. It is very nice that such an offer was made. I hope lots of people will enjoy their skating and more fans will support them.

November 24, 2000: Cup of Russia was very successful with the second place. The new image suits them very well. Irina and Ilia are definitely back. What a joy to see them skate so wonderfully! Read more about what had happened to them during the summer and more about this year's programs here.

November 13, 2000:
In a short telephone call right before Skate Canada Ilia confirmed that Irina is doing better and that their programs are ready for debuting at Cup of Russia. The FD is very interesting and different for them, as he put it.
Now is the time to send your questions to the webmaster. Everything you always wanted to know about Irina and Ilia is welcome. They will be interviewed at Cup of Russia.

October 26, 2000:
Unfortunately, Ilia and Irina had to withdraw from Skate Canada due to illness. Hopefully, everything will be well for Lalique and Cup of Russia.
Read Article here.

September 21, 2000:
During a recent phone call, Ilia made known that for the OD they have chosen the rhythms Foxtrot and Charleston. They are working very hard and are pleased with the training in Delaware. They are very thankful for everyone of their fans and want to show what they can do in their new programs. Expect 2 FDs from them, as per Grand Prix Final requirements.
The following information was found in the Blades on Ice News update for August: Irina Lobacheva and Ilia Averbukh returned in July to Newark, Delaware to work again with coaches Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karponsov. "We have been working with Natalia Linichuk for the past three weeks on our new original dance and have started working on our new free dance for this coming season," said Averbukh by phone this week. "Things are going much better now with training and I think it is the best decision for us to stay here," he added. They have a new choreographer, Sergei Pitov and plan to be ready for their three Grand Prix internationals, Skate Canada, Russia Cup and Trophee Lalique this season. "I hope it will be a good season for us. We are working to make changes and working very hard. People have asked if we will still be competing. Please tell them yes and that we want to win again," said Averbukh. This team plans to remain in Newark this season as they prepare for their upcoming internationals.

May 19, 2000:
As of right now the Grand Prix Assignments for Irina and Ilia will be Skate Canada, Lalique and Cup of Russia.

April 15, 2000:
Irina and Ilia were invited to take part in the Masters Miko Open in Paris, France on April 27 and 28. You can find more information on the competition format under http://www.mastersmiko.com. You can also find detailed results here

April 5, 2000:
If you are interested in reviewing their marks, click here. Also the quotes section has been updated.

February 17, 2000:
Find here all the marks Ilia and Irina received for their programs at the European Championships.

February 3, 2000:
Read an interview with Irina and Ilia after the Grand Prix Final

February 2, 2000:
Placementwise the Grand Prix Final was quite a disappointment. The new FD was debuted there. Find more info in my review

December 28, 1999:
They are Russian champions! For the compulsories they had to skate the Argentine Tango and Viennese Waltz and received marks between 5,6 and 5,7 for technical merit and 5,7 to 5,9 for timing and expression. Their OD earned them marks between 5,7 and 5,8 in the first mark and 5,8 and 5,9 for presentation. Irina and Ilia debuted a new FD and both sets of marks ranged from 5,8 to 5,9.

December 16, 1999:
Irina and Ilia are working on their new FD to modern type music which they should debut at Russian Nationals at the end of this month.

November 29, 1999:
At NHK they will most likely show their FD from last year, as their new FD is not quite finished. After SA they have started to work on a new FD as "Alegria" did not go over too well with the judges and the audience.

November 26, 1999:
Irina and Ilia are worried about their visas, as they expire by the end of December. The USA immigration made new and stricter regulations especially for Russians. They are concerned about re-entry into the States after Russian Nationals.

November 3, 1999:
Unfortunately, Irina and Ilia had to withdraw from Skate Canada due to health problems.

November 2, 1999:
Find a complete review of the dance competition at Skate America in my review section. Any further questions or comments, please email me.

October 18, 1999:
The Free Dance music will be from the CD Alegria from Cirque du Soleil!

October 1, 1999:
There has been more changing around with the assignments. They have been added to the roster of Skate Canada. The CD there will be the Yankee Polka.

September 27, 1999:
Unfortunately, Irina & Ilia have been removed from the roster of Sparkassen Cup.
So as of right now they will be competing in Skate America (I am attending) and NHK. The compulsory dance at SA will be the Viennese Waltz and at NHK we will get to see the Yankee Polka.

September 2, 1999:
Reflecting on the old season Ilia said about their last FD: "We were trying to create a dramatic and deeply meaningful program that, at the same time, would not be too heavy for the viewers. It was a synthesis of tragedy and optimism for which the music itself inspired us." In order to find inspiration for new programs they use their days off to go to the ocean which is not too far from their training base at the University of Delaware. "The water and the wind-it's fantastic!" The couple also loves to go to Broadway shows because "They load up our emotions.". It will be very interesting to see what they come up with for the new season as they worked with Russian choreograhers in Moscow on the OD (Latin Combination) before returning to the United States. This will be the first time that an original dance will be 3 minutes in duration instead of the 2 minutes. This will mean more conditioning for all the skaters and a lot of training in ball room dance. Ilia says: " We are not trying to transfer ballroom dance to the ice, but the nature and character of it will be felt in the program." It should be very interesting to see what they come up with and I am axiously awaiting Skate America to see their creation.

July 1, 1999:
As of right now it looks like Irina and Ilia will be competing at the following 3 Grand Prix competitions: Skate America, Nations Cup and NHK Trophy. I will be going to the Nations Cup, so I will post a review after that.