Fred's, (Used to be Barb's), Board

After 11 years of competing together, after each overcoming injuries (even a shoulder dislocation mid-competition), after Yuka giving up her Japanese citizenship to compete at the Olympics, and after quite a bit of success, this Russian pair team has decided to retire. They realized that they were unlikely to be chosen to participate in the Olympics. They will both be coaching in the Moskvina school in St. Petersburg and will perform together in shows.

Their international accomplishments:

• 2 European championships

• 2 World bronze medals

• 2 Grand Prix Final bronze medals

• 15 Grand Prix medals

Their ISU biography: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00009880.htm

I believe Yuka (b. 20 Nov. 1981) was the oldest female pair skater still competing!

Their lovely Claire de lune program in 2011: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOy72ik3NfU
Their 2016-17 Clare de lune program at Russian Nationals: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vs-FRfMbsg0

For their sake, I am very glad to hear they have made this decision. Watching them compete last year at Skate Canada was so painful....not just for the audience, but for them as skaters. She looked in obvious discomfort and should not have been competing. I was very surprised to hear that they were mounting an Olympic comeback this season and I feared she would do irreparable harm to her body (if she hasn't already.....).