Ilona Melnichenko

Ilona Melnichenko^[a] is a former ice dancer who competed for the Soviet Union. With former partner Gennady Kaskov, she is the 1987 World Junior champion^[1] and 1991 Winter Universiade champion. She is from Odesa and has a bachelor's degree in Physical Education from the Odesa State Institute of Physical Culture.^[2] Melnichenko was married to former pair skater Artem Torgeshev, the 1987 World Junior silver medalist, with whom she has two children, Andrew and Deana.^[2][3] They coach at the Panthers Figure Skating Club, Saveology Iceplex in Coral Springs, Florida.^[2][4] Together they have coached many notable skaters, including Franchesca Chiera, Sophia Chouinard, Samantha Scott, Luiz Manella, and Andrew Torgashev. Their son, Andrew Torgashev, was born May 29, 2001, in Coral Springs, Florida, and competes for the United States in single skating.^[5]