Alexei Yagudin is an Olympic Gold medallist, four-time World Champion, three-time European Champion and World Professional Champion.

At the 2002 Olympic Games in Salt Lake City, Yagudin received scores of all 5.9s in addition to four perfect 6.0s for artistry. No other man in Olympic history has ever earned more than one perfect mark. He is the first man in the history of the sport to claim the triple crown of figure skating by winning the European, Grand Prix and World titles, all in one season and the only skater to win all of the major competitions in one season: Grand Prix, Europeans, Worlds and the Olympics. Alexei is also the only male amateur skater to win the World Professional Championships.

Alexei began skating at the age of four, encouraged by his mother, Zoya. Alexeis natural talent was clear from the start. In 1994, he began competing internationally, finishing 4th at the Junior World Championships. In 1996, Alexei won the World Junior Championships.

Alexei joined forces with the legendary coach and choreographer, Tatiana Tarasova, in the summer of 1998. Under Tarasovas tutelage, Alexei has flourished competitively. At the age of 18, he became the first Russian man to win a World Championship and the second youngest World Champion in history. He dominated the 1998-1999 competitive season by winning 9 of 11 competitions in which he participated, including the Worlds, European Championships and the World Pro.

ABC nominated Alexei for the 1999 Wide World of Sports Athlete of the Year Award. He was the only figure skater on the list which included, among others, Andre Agassi, Tiger Woods and Serena Williams.

The 2000-2001 season was a challenging and exciting one for Alexei. In the spring of 2001, he toured Canada with the Skate the Nation tour, as well as Scott Hamiltons farewell tour with Chrysler Stars on Ice. This remarkable athlete captured the hearts and admiration of skating fans around the world at the 2001 World Figure Skating Championship in Vancouver. An injury hindered Alexeis ability to perform at his peak, but it could not impede his determination and pride.

In 2002, Alexei received the prestigious Eurosport SportStar Award Trophy and was recognized by the International Skating Union as the athlete who best represented the ISU Sport and Olympic Values. Alexei was also included in International Figure Skating Magazines 2002 list of the 25 Most Influential Names in Figure Skating.

During the summer of 2002, Alexei performed in over 100 shows around Canada and the United States. He was the only skater who took part in all three major skating tours: Skate the Nation, Stars on Ice and Champions on Ice. In June of 2002, he was nominated as one of People Magazine's Most Eligible Bachelors. In the July/Aug 2002 Sports Illustrated for Women, Alexei was voted as the 2nd sexiest male athlete. NBC Sports nominated Alexei as the Best Male Athlete in 2002. He finished 3rd in voting with 10%, behind Lance Armstrong (28%) and Apolo Anton Ohno (37%). In addition, Alexei was included in the Associated Press 2002 Best Athlete Poll. In May 2003, Alexei was named the Best Athlete in Russia and was awarded the Order "For Services to the Country," 4th Class by President Putin.

In the 2002-2003 season, Alexei toured the U.S. with Smuckers Stars on Ice and Canada with HSBC Stars on Ice while, at the same time, competing in some ISU events.

In November 2003, at a very emotional ceremony at Skate Canada, Alexei announced his retirement from eligible skating and turned professional. At the same time, Alexei started his coaching career helping Brian Joubert (two-time French National Champion, 2004 European Champion & World Silver Medalist) and Andrei Griazev (World Junior Champion). Alexei will be helping Brian in his preparation for the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy.

Alexei currently trains at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury. He completed his high school education in Russia with honors, ranking second in his class. In the summer of 2001 Alexei, received his higher education diploma from the Sports University in St. Petersburg, Russia. His interests off the ice include playing soccer, tennis, golf and taking care of his American cocker spaniel, Lawrence (named after his favorite long program, Lawrence of Arabia). He is fluent in English and enjoys spending time in front of his computer, communicating with his friends and fans.

2005 marks Alexeis third season with Smuckers Stars on Ice.

For more information about Alexei, please visit his official website at www.alexeiyagudin.com.


Alexei Yagudin
Olympic Gold Medalist Competitive Highlights
2002 Winter Olympics 1st
2002 European Championships 1st
2002 World Championships 1st
2002 Campbell's USFSA Pro AM- 1st
2002 Sears Canadian Open- 1st
2002 Hallmark Skaters' Championship- 1st
2001 European Championships 1st
2001 Grand Prix Final 1st
2001 Trophee Lalique 1st
2001 Skate Canada 1st
2001 Masters of Figure Skating 1st
2001 World Championships 2nd
2001 Japan Open 1st
2000 World Championships (- 1st
2000 Japan Open - 1st
2000 Skate Canada 1st
2000 Trophee Lalique 1st
2000 Canadian Open 1st
1999 World Championships - 1st
1999 European Championships - 1st
1999 Grand Prix Final - 1st
1999 Trophee Lalique - 1st
1999 Skate America - 1st
1999 Skate Canada - 1st
1998 World Championships - 1st
1998 World Professional Figure Skating Championships - 1st
1998 European Championships - 1st
1998 Trophee Lalique - 1st
1998 Skate America - 1st
1998 World Team Skating Challenge - 1st
1998 Winter Olympics - 5th