Irina Slutskaya Wins Bronze at the 2006 Winter Olympics

Cheers to Irina, an all around CHAMPION
in skating, and in life

The Russian Irina Slutskaya has proven, of course, long ago, what she is worth. Before being diagnosed with CSS, she already had won 3 Russian National titles, 5 Europeans and a World title in figure skating.

She was the first Russian woman skater to win a silver medal at the Olympics (Salt Lake City 2002) and to win a European title (1996).

In 2003, at the age of 24, she fell sick with Churg Strauss Syndrome and after diagnosis her doctors suggested that she should stop skating for a year. She was away from the ice for a while, but within a few months she was back and training, as she had decided she would go on to skate at top level. In March 2004 she returned to the competition. "This illness made something clear to me" she said "I understand what I want, and that is to skate".

I am impressed by her determination to succeed in what she wants, and of course by the medals that she has won after her CSS diagnosis. In 2005 she was back on the ice, stronger then ever and swept past everyone: while she still had health problems and was on medication, she won her 4th Russian National medal (gold), 6th European Champion medal (gold) and her second World Champion medal (gold). Wow!

On January 19th 2006 Irina Slutskaya won the European Championships again, and became the first woman ever to win seven European titles.

She was definitely the favorite for the gold medal in women figure skating at the 2006 Winter Olympics. She had some difficult jump combinations in her arsenal and she has invented the double Biellmann spin with a foot change, a move that requires considerable flexibility. She is considered an extremely powerful jumper who also demonstrates amazing flexibility in her spins. At the Olympics she gave an inspired performance especially at the short program where she ended in the second place, only three-hundredths of a point behind Sasha Cohen. The gold medal seemed to be within reach. On the free skate program she was good, but l she fell on one of her triple jump attempts, while Sasha Cohen was also unlucky and even fell two times. That got Irina, now 27 years old, the bronze medal to go with her Salt Lake City silver one. Afterwards she said: "That is competition, and it's pressure all the time. You never know what can happen, it's ice, it's slippery....it's life".

Although her disease is under good control, she still is on medication for CSS, and has some health problems. She had to skip the last Russian Nationals because of the flu. She mentions in interviews how her symptoms vary in severity from day to day and how she has some problems with pain in her legs and getting tired easily.

She is a whirlwind of energy and her performance on the ice is a joy to see. No other figure skater skates with such enthusiasm and exuberance - the moment she is out on the ice, performing, she seems to have the time of her life, and her radiant smile shows how much she enjoys what she's doing.

She also has mentioned how much more she appreciates life now and that she is determined to make the most out of it. "Skating at this level, while having to deal with CSS may not always be easy, but I hope to inspire other people to have faith that you can find a way out of anything".

We at the CSSA want Irina to know that the whole community of people with vasculitis are inspired by her story and were cheering her on during the Olympics. She is wonderfully articulate and forthcoming about her illness. We hope that she might someday be an official spokesperson for people with Churg Strauss Syndrome and other forms of vasculitis. To us, she is a champion not only in skating but in finding a way to overcome adversity and illness with grace and compassion.

Irina will soon be touring with the Champions on Ice Show that may be seen in many US cities. The next chance to see her skate competitively will be at World Championships 2006, March 20 - 26, Calgary, Canada.

Marian Mesker
March 2006