The Soviet school of figure skating convincingly confirmed the correctness of the chosen concept. Although, according to authoritative experts, there was no consensus in the coaching company on this issue. The fact is that for a long period of time the main competition on ice was observed between domestic experts. Lyudmila Smirnova went through all stages of sports training, and she knows everything about big sport. She achieved great results by performing on ice. Successfully engaged in coaching. She declared herself as a gifted actress.
Far start
To achieve decent results in sports, you must have certain physical qualities or, in other words, natural abilities. At the current historical moment, girls and boys are brought to the figure skating section, figuratively speaking, directly from the diapers. Practice shows that such an approach makes sense. Parents and older comrades need to understand that other components are needed along the path to success. Much depends on the trainer, place of residence, the material condition of the family. Lyudmila Stanislavovna Smirnova was born in Leningrad on July 21, 1949.
The sports biography of the famous skater began in 1954, when her mother brought her to the skating rink DSO "Petrel". Two seasons later, the famous St. Petersburg coach Igor Moskvin drew attention to the girl. It can rightly be said that from this moment on, serious work on herself began for Lyudmila. A properly set preparatory process brought the expected result. Participating in the youth championship of the Soviet Union in 1964 in figure skating, a pair of Smirnov-Alekseev won silver medals.
Further, a successful career continued in partnership with Andrei Suraikin. I must say that pair skating involves close and regular physical contact between partners. Many couples after completing sports performances do not part, but create a family. The trainer is not always able to form a duet that can exist for a long period of time. As subsequent events showed, Suraykin saw in Lyudmila Smirnova not just a partner in joint performances, but primarily an attractive woman. But Lyudmila’s “spark in the soul” did not arise.
At first, the couple had problems with the coach. None of the coaching staff showed any interest in him. Then Andrew took the initiative in his own hands and began to deal with Lyudmila on her own. During this period, Smirnova was still receiving education, and she needed moral support. When it became clear that Suraykina would not stop anything, the same Igor Moskvin invited him to his “wing”. The season of 1969-70 was “fruitful” for the couple. They performed brilliantly at the world championship, at the championship of Europe and the Soviet Union. The results are silver, silver, silver. At the Winter Universiade - gold.
Principled confrontation
Sports enthusiasts who visit the ice palace during the competition or watch figure skating on TV do not see and often do not know what is happening behind the “closed doors”. In the late 60s and early 70s, two pairs sharply competed on ice. Smirnova-Suraikin and Rodnina-Ulanov. Some were looking for a foundation in the traditions of classical ballet, while others focused on the technically complex elements of the program. Ulanov at the meeting made a proposal Smirnova to work together. Lyudmila at that moment refused him.
From the height of the past years, we can say that unofficial competitions between the pairs took place over three years. Each duet sought to make their individual contribution to the program of performances. All these years, Suraykin and Smirnova occupied the second stage of the podium. Relations in pairs escalated. Alexey Ulanov did not leave his persistent offers. In 1972, both duets broke up. Smirnova yielded to the harassment of Ulanov and "stood up with him." For Andrei Suraikin it was a severe blow, from which he “departed" for several years.
The new couple not only continued their performances in the ice arena, but also got married. Now the husband and wife could be engaged in creativity around the clock. During this period, the personal life of the famous skaters was more successful than sports. Intensive training brought a certain effect, but the concept that Alexey Ulanov strove to implement turned out to be erroneous. At the World and European Championships in 1973, the couple was in second place. “Silver” is a good result for the first joint performance. However, the situation repeated the following year.
After a balanced and competent analysis of the situation, Ulanov and Smirnova in 1975 decided to complete their performances in the sports arena, and switched to ballet on ice. A couple of seasons worked in Moscow, and then moved to Leningrad. During this period, they had a son and a daughter. Parents took their children seriously. It is not difficult to assume that the children took an example from their parents. The son easily became a master of sports in figure skating. Daughters failed to achieve significant results in this area.
