Elena Ivanova (figure skater)

Ivanova was born in Nevinnomyssk.^[1] When she was six years old, figure skating coach Nina Ruchkina visited her kindergarten in search of talented youth and noticed her.^[2] Ivanova's parents approved of the activity and she began skating under Ruchkina. At the age of 10, she became Master of Sports of the USSR and gained the nickname "Iron Felix" because of her calmness on the ice.^[2] At the age of 15, she moved from Nevinnomyssk to Samara and graduated from Samara's GUOR (figure skating faculty).^[3]

Ivanova represented Russia at four World Junior Championships, winning silver in 1995 (Budapest, Hungary), gold in 1996 (Brisbane, Australia), bronze in 1997 (Seoul, South Korea), and silver in 1998 (Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada). She finished sixth in her Champions Series (Grand Prix) debut, at the 1997 Trophée Lalique.

She retired from competition due to injury and became a skating coach in Vitebsk, Belarus. Around 2005, she relocated to Daugavpils, Latvia.^[2][4]

GP: Champions Series / Grand Prix