2005 Cast

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

At the 2002 Olympic Games 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 who won 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. At the 2002 World Championships in Nagano he changed the history of the sport again when for the first time a skater received six perfect 6.0s for the short program including first ever perfect mark for required elements.

Alexei began skating at the age of four, encouraged by his mother, Zoya. His natural talent was clear from the start. In 1994, he began competing internationally, finishing fourth at the Junior World Championships. Two years later, he won the competition.

In the summer of 1998, Alexei joined forces with the legendary coach and choreographer, Tatiana Tarasova. Under Tarasova�s tutelage, Alexei 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.

In 1999, ABC nominated Alexei for the 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 an equally exciting one for Alexei. In the spring of 2001, he toured Canada with the Skate the Nation tour and Scott Hamilton�s farewell tour with Chrysler Stars on Ice. This remarkable (then) three-time World Champion captured the hearts and admiration of skating fans around the world at the 2001 World Championships in Vancouver. An injury hindered Alexei�s ability to perform at his peak, but it could not impede his determination and pride.

Following his first place win at the 2002 World Championships, Alexei toured Canada in Stars on Ice and Skate the Nation, as well as with Champions on Ice in the United States, performing in an unprecedented 100 shows. This is Alexei�s second year with Smucker�s Stars on Ice, the premier skating tour in America.

In the spring of 2002, Alexei received the prestigious Eurosport SportStar Award and was recognized by the International Skating Union as an athlete who best represented the ideals of the sport and the Olympics. His popularity in America was duly noted during June of 2002 when Sports Illustrated for Women (SIW) chose Alexei as one of their �75 Sexiest Men in Sports.� In an online poll by readers of SIW, he was chosen #2, behind Olympic Champion Apollo Ono. People Magazine also named Alexei one of 2002�s �50 Most Eligible Bachelors,� and International Figure Skating magazine included him in their 2002 list of the �25 Most Influential Names in Skating.� 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 Smucker's Stars on Ice and Canada with HSBC Stars on Ice. At the same time competed in some ISU events.

Alexei currently trains at the International Skating Center of Connecticut in Simsbury, CT. He completed his high school education in Russia with honors, ranked 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 and 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.
 

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