My Sergei: A Love Story

Performing in their flawless, elegant, and unique style, Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov were the most celebrated pairs skaters of all time. Tragically, Their fairy-tale perfect story came to an end on November 20, 1995 when Sergei died of a heart attack at the age of twenty-eight. This book was appealing for its skating theme and tragic love story. Ice skating has always been a beautiful, elegant sport to all who watch, but we rarely know the full story behind the athletes we see. To learn about this couple who were initially partners on the ice and then partners in life seemed very interesting. They were two soul mates who were partners on and off the ice. Ekaterina Gordeeva was a tiny, serious and very shy girl of eleven who was always obedient. Sergei Grinkov was a fun-loving, outgoing boy of fifteen. Both were talented and dedicated. They were mismatched kids paired together as chance. Ekaterina, or Katia as people call her, recalls this as the start of their relationship, although she knew none of it at the time. Gordeeva and Grinkov (G & G as they were known) they won four World Championships and two Olympic gold medals. At their first Olympics, Katia did not think they really deserved a gold medal. They were with a strict coach who had them do plain non-original programs. There was no expressive movements or technical merit. Socially, Katia's experience was negative because she was only sixteen. She did not fit in with all the older kids, and often felt lonely. They would go to bars and leave her out. After the Olympics, Katia and Sergei felt it was time to switch coaches. They wanted better choreography and increased difficulty in their routines. One of their old coaches came back to them. Marina Zueva was an amazing creative choreographer and coach. She also had the best musical taste. She taught them new elements and facial moods to express when they skated. This was important to Katia because they were able to make their skating unique and interesting to watch. Between training and competing, the couple fell madly in love. They managed to express their deep emotions for each other in a passionate skating style. They married and had a child a year later. Their daughter was born on September 11, 1992, and was named Daria. Their skating became even more inspired by the birth of Daria. Katia felt very fortunate and happy to have such a wonderful family. Sergei was her protector and would never do anything to harm her. It was almost like a fantasy. In their second Olympics, they did a program to the Moonlight Sonata and won gold. It was what they had been wishing for so long. "This one we won for each other." (page 226) Katia felt her goal had been finally reached. On November 20, 1995, Katia and Sergei were doing a routine practice session with Marina. They were skating through their early movements of their developing program. They were supposed to do c

It's been almost 10 years since Sergei Grinkov died. His widow is now remarried and has a four year old daughter with her new husband. And yet, that does not take away from the beauty of this book. It makes it a little easier to read - knowing that Katia came out the other side of her obvious heart-wrenching pain and allowed herself to find happiness and love again. The beauty of their story, the pain of that loss and her strength in picking up the pieces and going on with her life make a beautiful story that can be read over and over again (if you can stand the tears). This book is honest - Katia does not sugar coat her own failings. In fact, in her recounting of their career, she seems to sometimes underestimate her own contribution to the pair and assigns failings to herself that were, in fact, Sergei's mistakes. She tells stories that could be (and have been) used to criticize her. And she does it fearlessly. This book is not their entire story, I am certain. But it is a beautiful rendition of their story told in Katia's words, and gives us a glimpse into their life which we could not have gotten anywhere else - which makes it even more special. If you are a G & G fan and you have not read this ... where have you been? If you have never heard of Gordeeva & Grinkov ... or don't know much about them - read this book. It will capture your heart and make you fall in love with them. Then, watch their skating ... and you will be hooked forever.

Figure skating fans will recall the shocking death of pairs' gold medalist Sergei Grinkov on 20 November 1995. In this poignant memoir, his partner and widow, Ekaterina Gordeeva, shares the story of their lives together as skaters, husband and wife, and as parents. Gordeeva and Grinkov - G & G - were perhaps the greatest pairs skaters of all time. Thoroughout their career, they touched the hearts of millions, bringing an elegance and perfection to ice that the sport has never seen before - or since.Through this joyous look back at their career and lives, Katia shares their story, from humble beginnings as athletes in the Soviet sports machine to their triumphant Olympic gold medal wins in 1988 and 1994. She offers a rare insider's glimpse into the recently-scandalous world of Olympic skating and the preparation that goes into every performance.Despite its tragic ending, the book is uplifting to read, which is one of the reasons that I have dog-eared my copy many times over. Katia's gentle, yet simple storytelling is both heart-wrenching and funny, especially her stories about their lives in America as recent immigrants to a world so different from the one they were raised in. Throughout, she fondly remembers the various competitions, routines, and holidays that marked her life.It is rare to find a memoir that is so soul-bearing and touching as "My Sergei". While it is a love story, it is also so much more. It's a story of triumph, of the strength of the human spirit, and of love conquering over all.I first read this shortly after its original publication, and have delved into it many times since. It's one book that I never tire of, and it is one that has touched millions of readers, skating fans and non-fans alike.

First things first -- grab your hankies and prepare yourself. The journey you are about to embark upon will leave you breathless and sobbing hopelessly.Of course, we all remember the story of the sudden death of Ekaterina's true love and ice skating partner, Sergei Grinkov. What a heartbreaking day that was -- I didn't even know who they were but felt my own heart rip away anyway. Reading this book brought it all back to me with as much power and poignancy as if I had heard it for the first time. My Sergei chronicles the life of Ekaterina Gordeeva, young ice skater and Olympic medalist, from pre-skating to post-Sergei with lots of smiles and tears in between. This book is not just for the ice skating fanatic or fans of Ekaterina and Sergei. It is for anyone who has lost someone special in their life or has ever felt a pure and true love like Katia did for Sergei. You will be weeping like a baby, but it is so very worth it.

I read this book 4 times and reading it again. It's a beautiful story because it's true and because it's written by a person who lived through it. "My Sergei" captures your hearts like no other book. Read it and you will never want to put it down. Ekaterina and Sergei are a fairy tale couple the world will never forget!