FACTOIDS
Full Name: Elena Leonova
Nickname: Elena
Birthday:
Height:
Hometown: Russia
Sports: Figure Skating
PROFILE
Elena Leonova competed sucessfully on junior level with another partner, but the couple split later on. Andrei Khvalko had bad luck with his partners - one married and her husband didn't allow her to skate anymore, another one had weak nerves and failed always in competition.
Elena Leonova joined Tatiana Tarasova's "All stars" ice theatre in the 1991/92 season and skated there with her first and then with her second partner. However, in 1995 she was looking for a change, and Tarasova suggested Khvalko. She formed a strong couple that excells in acrobatic lifts.
After a year, Leonova/Khvalko were invited to skate in "Disney on Ice" and then decided to compete. They won their first pro competition, the 1997 US Open right away. Since then, the Russians are much in demand for shows and compete sucessfully. Leonova/Khvalko are married and are based in California.
