Aljona Savchenko[1][2] (Ukrainian: Олена Валентинівна Савченко, Olena Valentynivna Savchenko; German Romanization: Aljona Sawtschenko, sometimes Aliona Savchenko; born 19 January 1984) is a retired Ukrainian-born German pair skater. One of the most decorated pair skaters, she is the 2018 Olympic Champion and a two-time Olympic bronze medalist (2010, 2014),[3] a six-time World Champion, a four-time European Champion, and a five-time Grand Prix Final champion.
With partner Bruno Massot, she is the 2018 Olympic champion, the 2018 World Champion, a two-time European silver medalist, the 2017–18 Grand Prix Final champion, and a two-time German national champion (2016, 2018). The pair hold the world record for best free skate score and best total score, and they are the first pair skaters to break 160 points in the free skate.
With former partner Robin Szolkowy, she is the 2010 and 2014 Olympic bronze medalist, a five-time World champion (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014), a four-time European champion (2007–2009, 2011), a four-time Grand Prix Final champion (2007, 2010, 2011, 2013), and an eight-time German national champion (2004–2009, 2011, 2014). Savchenko and Szolkowy received the first 10.0 component scores ever given by a judge under the ISU Judging System.[4]
Savchenko originally represented Ukraine with Dmitri Boyenko and later Stanislav Morozov. With Morozov, she was the 2000 World Junior champion, the 1999–2000 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, and a two-time Ukrainian national champion.
In June 2021, Savchenko unretired to pursue her competitive career in the United States.[5] In September 2021, she announced that, due to having difficulties in the search of a partner, she would be focusing on coaching again.[6]
- ^ "Name on the official 2018 Olympics website". Archived from the original on 16 February 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2018.
- ^ "Using of Aljona instead of Aliona on International Skating Union". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 19 April 2018.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
SRwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Cite error: The named reference
IN091121was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Lechner, Pamela (11 June 2021). "Paarlauf-Olympiasiegerin Aljona Savchenko wechselt zum US-Verband" [Pair skating Olympic champion Aljona Savchenko moves to the US federation] (in German). Deutsche Eislauf-Union.
- ^ "Eiskunstläuferin Savchenko legt Comeback-Pläne auf Eis" [Figure skater Savchenko puts her comeback plans on hold] (in German). Sportschau. 19 September 2021.