Irina burst onto the senior scene in 1996 with a win at the European Championships. She used this momentum to place third at the 1996 World Championships in Edmonton, Alberta Canada behind Lu Chen and Michelle Kwan of China and the United States respectively. After that event Dick Button asked her if he could pinch check; her reply, "All the old men ask me that."
Irina started the 96-97 season strong with a win at Skate Canada, defeating Tara Lipinski in that event. Although she slippded to third at her national championships, she did defend her European Title.
At the World Championships in Lausanne, Switzerland, she had a fall in the short program which gave her a very sore back. In a courageous effort she pulled together a very clean program (despite her injured back) and was able to climb back up to finish fourth.
The 97-98 season was rough one for Irina. She finished fourth in both the Russian Nationals and Grand Prix Finals. Despite this she did get to go the Olympic Games in Nagano where she finished 5th. She was able to pull it all back together for the World Championships where she had her best showing, winning the Silver Medal.
The 98-99 season was dismal for Irina. It started with The Goodwill Games and just continued on. Irina struggled with her jumps and had to compete up against young up-and-comers Soldatova and Volchkova. She again was fourth at Russian Nationals. She managed a bronze medal at the grand prix final but was not selected to compete in the World Championships. She had been written of as a skater.
The 99-00 looks promising for Irina. She has a new outlook on skating as well as some much improved artistry, posture and jumps. It will be fun to watch Irina mature more and more as a skater.
Born: February 9, 1979 Moscow, RUS
Height: 5'4"
Weight: 49 kg
Hair: Brown
Hobbies: Music, Stuffed Animals, Travel
Hometown: Moscow, RUS
Coach: Jana Gromova
Choreographer: Elena Tcaikovskaya
1998 Russian Nationals-4th
1998 European Championships-2nd
1998 Olympic Winter Games-5th
1998 World Championships-2nd
1999 Russian Nationals-4th
1999 Japan Open-3rd
1999 ISU Grand Prix Final-3rd
Irina Slutskaya-A Fan Page
Irina Picture Gallery
The Irina Slutskaya Shrine
Irina Slutskaya Rules!
