Gorsha Sur
Encyclopedia
Georgi 'Gorsha' Sur is a former ice dancer
who represented the United States and the Soviet Union. With Svetlana Liapina
for the Soviet Union, he is a two-time World Junior medalist
. With Renée Roca
for the U.S., he is a two-time U.S. national champion
(1993
, 1995
).
but the depth of the Soviet competitive ice dancing field led them to turn to professional skating. In January 1990, Sur was taking part in a month-long Russian All-Stars skating tour in the U.S., headlined by Jayne Torvill
and Christopher Dean
. Sur defected to the U.S. on January 24, 1990. He was joined by Elena Krikanova
, Igor Shpilband
, Veronica Pershina
and a tour official. The group moved in with Russian immigrants in Brooklyn and eventually pooled their money to rent a one-bedroom apartment.
With Sur's funds running out, American friends put him in touch with the Detroit Skating Club where he was offered a coaching job. For a partner, he was advised to contact Renée Roca
by Belgian skater, Jirina Ribbens. Ribbens noted, "Of all the U.S. ice dancers, Renee's style is the most European. She has a classically elegant and dramatic flair, more like a ballerina than a ballroom dancer." Roca and Sur worked together in Detroit for two weeks and were soon invited to audition for tour organizers and to compete at professional competitions. A year later, the International Skating Union changed its eligibility rules, allowing professional skaters to reinstate as amateurs to compete at the World Championships and Olympics; Sur convinced Roca to return to eligible competition.
The pair choreographed for Elizabeth Punsalan
and Jerod Swallow
the free dance they used to win the 1991 U.S. Championships
.
Roca and Sur began competing in the 1992–93 season. They were coached by Sandra Hess in Colorado Springs, Colorado
. Roca and Sur won the 1993 U.S. national title
.
Roca and Sur hoped to win the United States' single berth to the ice dancing event at the 1994 Winter Olympics
. To do so, the couple had to not only win the 1994 U.S. national title but also receive accelerated citizenship for Sur due to the Olympics' citizenship requirements. A Republican Representative and Democrat Senator, both from Colorado, lent their support to speed up Sur's naturalization in Congress. It was argued that his case differed from other athletes because not speeding up the process would hurt an American citizen, Renee Roca. However, their efforts were stymied in late December 1993 when the United States Olympic Committee denied a request for a waiver to the requirement that athletes be citizens by the national championships. In addition, their main rivals for the Olympic spot, Punsalan and Swallow, were involved in a letter-writing campaign to Congress to prevent Sur from receiving expedited citizenship.
During a warm-up at the 1994 U.S. Championships
, Roca was skating backward and collided with the team of Galit Chait
and Maksim Sevostyanov, fracturing a bone in her left arm. Two hours later, she returned from the hospital with her arm in a cast and decided to try to compete. They placed second to Punsalan and Swallow in the rhumba, however, Roca was unable to secure a firm grip with her left hand. The couple was ultimately forced to withdraw from the rest of the competition.
Roca and Sur returned to competition the following season and defeated Punsalan and Swallow at the 1995 U.S. Championships
to reclaim their national crown.
At the 1996 U.S. Championships
, their fortunes reversed again and Roca and Sur placed second to Punsalan and Swallow. Roca and Sur retired from eligible competition at the end of the season and toured with Stars on Ice
.
Although Sur has been credited as being the indirect cause of the Rent-A-Russian phenomenon in American skating, he moved to the United States and settled there legitimately, with no intention of ever competing again.
Sur worked as a coach and choreographer and was based out of Oakland Ice Center.
Sur entered UC Hastings College of Law in 2003, graduating in 2006. He is currently an international arbitration lawyer, frequently traveling to Russia.
Ice dancing
Ice dancing is a form of figure skating which draws from the world of ballroom dancing. It was first competed at the World Figure Skating Championships in 1952, but did not become a Winter Olympic Games medal sport until 1976....
who represented the United States and the Soviet Union. With Svetlana Liapina
Svetlana Liapina
Svetlana Liapina is a former Soviet ice dancer who now works as a coach. With partner Georgi "Gorsha" Sur, she won two medals at the World Junior Championships for the Soviet Union...
for the Soviet Union, he is a two-time World Junior medalist
World Junior Figure Skating Championships
The World Junior Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which younger figure skaters compete for the title of World Junior Champion...
. With Renée Roca
Renee Roca
Renée Roca is an American ice dancer and choreographer. She is a three-time U.S. national champion with different partners. Competing with partner Donald Adair, she is the 1986 U.S. national champion. She later teamed up with Russian skater Gorsha Sur, with whom she is the 1993 and 1995 U.S...
for the U.S., he is a two-time U.S. national champion
United States Figure Skating Championships
The United States Figure Skating Championships is figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United States. The competition is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. In the U.S. skating community, the event is often referred to informally as "Nationals".Skaters...
(1993
1993 United States Figure Skating Championships
The 1993 United States Figure Skating Championships was the United States Figure Skating Championships of the 1992-1993 figure skating season. They were the national championship to determine the national champions of the United States. They were held in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to determining...
, 1995
1995 United States Figure Skating Championships
The 1995 United States Figure Skating Championships was the United States Figure Skating Championships of the 1994-1995 figure skating season. They were the national championship to determine the national champions of the United States. They were held in Providence, Rhode Island.Skaters competed in...
).
Career
Georgi 'Gorsha' Sur won two medals at the World Junior Championships with Svetlana LiapinaSvetlana Liapina
Svetlana Liapina is a former Soviet ice dancer who now works as a coach. With partner Georgi "Gorsha" Sur, she won two medals at the World Junior Championships for the Soviet Union...
but the depth of the Soviet competitive ice dancing field led them to turn to professional skating. In January 1990, Sur was taking part in a month-long Russian All-Stars skating tour in the U.S., headlined by Jayne Torvill
Jayne Torvill
Jayne Torvill, OBE is a British ice dancer. With Christopher Dean, she won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics and a bronze medal at the 1994 Winter Olympics.-Early life:...
and Christopher Dean
Christopher Dean
Christopher Colin Dean, OBE is a famous British ice dancer who won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics with his skating partner Jayne Torvill...
. Sur defected to the U.S. on January 24, 1990. He was joined by Elena Krikanova
Elena Krikanova
Elena Krikanova is a former Soviet ice dancer. With former partner Evgeni Platov, she is a three-time World Junior champion . In January 1990, she defected to the United States along with Gorsha Sur and other skaters.-Results:...
, Igor Shpilband
Igor Shpilband
-Personal life:Shpilband was born in Moscow. In January 1990, he and other skaters were part of a U.S. tour headlined by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean when one of them, Gorsha Sur, decided to defect and Shpilband, Veronika Pershina and Elena Krikanova decided to join him. He got a coaching...
, Veronica Pershina
Veronica Pershina
Veronica Pershina is a former Soviet pair skater. With partner Marat Akbarov, she was the 1985 European bronze medalist and 1979 World Junior champion. She was trained by Stanislav Zhuk and Irina Rodnina....
and a tour official. The group moved in with Russian immigrants in Brooklyn and eventually pooled their money to rent a one-bedroom apartment.
With Sur's funds running out, American friends put him in touch with the Detroit Skating Club where he was offered a coaching job. For a partner, he was advised to contact Renée Roca
Renee Roca
Renée Roca is an American ice dancer and choreographer. She is a three-time U.S. national champion with different partners. Competing with partner Donald Adair, she is the 1986 U.S. national champion. She later teamed up with Russian skater Gorsha Sur, with whom she is the 1993 and 1995 U.S...
by Belgian skater, Jirina Ribbens. Ribbens noted, "Of all the U.S. ice dancers, Renee's style is the most European. She has a classically elegant and dramatic flair, more like a ballerina than a ballroom dancer." Roca and Sur worked together in Detroit for two weeks and were soon invited to audition for tour organizers and to compete at professional competitions. A year later, the International Skating Union changed its eligibility rules, allowing professional skaters to reinstate as amateurs to compete at the World Championships and Olympics; Sur convinced Roca to return to eligible competition.
The pair choreographed for Elizabeth Punsalan
Elizabeth Punsalan
Elizabeth Punsalan or Swallow is an American ice dancer. With her partner and husband Jerod Swallow, she is a five-time U.S. national champion, two-time Skate America champion, and competed twice in the Winter Olympics.- Career :Early in her career, Punsalan competed with Christopher Rettstatt,...
and Jerod Swallow
Jerod Swallow
Jerod Swallow is an American ice dancer. With his partner and wife Elizabeth Punsalan, he is a five-time U.S. national champion, two-time Skate America champion, and competed twice in the Winter Olympics....
the free dance they used to win the 1991 U.S. Championships
1991 United States Figure Skating Championships
The U.S. Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition organzied by the United States Figure Skating Association. In addition to determining the national champions, the event was used to determine the U.S. teams for the 1992 World Figure Skating Championships. Skaters...
.
Roca and Sur began competing in the 1992–93 season. They were coached by Sandra Hess in Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs, Colorado
Colorado Springs is a Home Rule Municipality that is the county seat and most populous city of El Paso County, Colorado, United States. Colorado Springs is located in South-Central Colorado, in the southern portion of the state. It is situated on Fountain Creek and is located south of the Colorado...
. Roca and Sur won the 1993 U.S. national title
1993 United States Figure Skating Championships
The 1993 United States Figure Skating Championships was the United States Figure Skating Championships of the 1992-1993 figure skating season. They were the national championship to determine the national champions of the United States. They were held in Phoenix, Arizona. In addition to determining...
.
Roca and Sur hoped to win the United States' single berth to the ice dancing event at the 1994 Winter Olympics
Figure skating at the 1994 Winter Olympics
Referee:* Britta LindgrenAssistant Referee:* Gerhardt BubníkJudges: Wendy Utley Jan Olesinski Jarmila Portová Alfred Korytek Yang Jiasheng Margaret Ann Wier Noriko Shirota Audrey Williams Jan Hoffmann Monique Petis -Pairs:...
. To do so, the couple had to not only win the 1994 U.S. national title but also receive accelerated citizenship for Sur due to the Olympics' citizenship requirements. A Republican Representative and Democrat Senator, both from Colorado, lent their support to speed up Sur's naturalization in Congress. It was argued that his case differed from other athletes because not speeding up the process would hurt an American citizen, Renee Roca. However, their efforts were stymied in late December 1993 when the United States Olympic Committee denied a request for a waiver to the requirement that athletes be citizens by the national championships. In addition, their main rivals for the Olympic spot, Punsalan and Swallow, were involved in a letter-writing campaign to Congress to prevent Sur from receiving expedited citizenship.
During a warm-up at the 1994 U.S. Championships
1994 United States Figure Skating Championships
The 1994 United States Figure Skating Championships was the United States Figure Skating Championships of the 2009-2010 figure skating season. They were the national championship to determine the national champions of the United States. They were held in Detroit Michigan. In addition to determining...
, Roca was skating backward and collided with the team of Galit Chait
Galit Chait
Galit Chait is a former Israeli ice dancer with partner Sergei Sakhnovski. They competed internationally for Israel from 1995 to 2006.- Personal life :Chait was born in Israel and moved to New Jersey as a child with her parents...
and Maksim Sevostyanov, fracturing a bone in her left arm. Two hours later, she returned from the hospital with her arm in a cast and decided to try to compete. They placed second to Punsalan and Swallow in the rhumba, however, Roca was unable to secure a firm grip with her left hand. The couple was ultimately forced to withdraw from the rest of the competition.
Roca and Sur returned to competition the following season and defeated Punsalan and Swallow at the 1995 U.S. Championships
1995 United States Figure Skating Championships
The 1995 United States Figure Skating Championships was the United States Figure Skating Championships of the 1994-1995 figure skating season. They were the national championship to determine the national champions of the United States. They were held in Providence, Rhode Island.Skaters competed in...
to reclaim their national crown.
At the 1996 U.S. Championships
1996 United States Figure Skating Championships
The 1996 United States Figure Skating Championships were the United States Figure Skating Championships of the 1995-1996 figure skating season. They were a national championship to determine the national champions of the United States....
, their fortunes reversed again and Roca and Sur placed second to Punsalan and Swallow. Roca and Sur retired from eligible competition at the end of the season and toured with Stars on Ice
Stars on Ice
Stars on Ice is a touring figure skating show produced by IMG. It was originally conceived in 1986 as a vehicle for IMG client Scott Hamilton, who had been released from his contract with Ice Capades, after being told that male skaters do not sell tickets...
.
Although Sur has been credited as being the indirect cause of the Rent-A-Russian phenomenon in American skating, he moved to the United States and settled there legitimately, with no intention of ever competing again.
Sur worked as a coach and choreographer and was based out of Oakland Ice Center.
Sur entered UC Hastings College of Law in 2003, graduating in 2006. He is currently an international arbitration lawyer, frequently traveling to Russia.
With Roca
| Event | 1992–93 | 1993–94 | 1994–95 | 1995–96 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
11th | 10th | 14th | |
| U.S. Championships United States Figure Skating Championships The United States Figure Skating Championships is figure skating competition held annually to crown the national champions of the United States. The competition is sanctioned by U.S. Figure Skating. In the U.S. skating community, the event is often referred to informally as "Nationals".Skaters... |
1st | 1st | 2nd | |
| Skate America Skate America Skate America is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. It is organized by the United States Figure Skating Association. The location changes yearly... |
3rd | 3rd | ||
| Skate Canada International Skate Canada International The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by Skate Canada. It is the second competition of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The location changes yearly. Medals are awarded in four disciplines: Ladies' singles, Men's... |
3rd | |||
| NHK Trophy NHK Trophy The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
5th | |||
| Nations cup Bofrost Cup on Ice The Bofrost Cup on Ice was a figure skating competition held in Germany between 1986 and 2004. It was part of the Grand Prix series until 2003, when it was replaced by Cup of China. Following being booted out of the Grand Prix series, a new form of competition was introduced to the Bofrost Cup... |
4th |
With Svetlana Liapina
| Event | 1983–84 | 1984–85 | 1985–86 | 1986–87 | 1987–88 | 1988–89 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Junior Championships World Junior Figure Skating Championships The World Junior Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which younger figure skaters compete for the title of World Junior Champion... |
3rd | 2nd | ||||
| Nebelhorn Trophy Nebelhorn Trophy The Nebelhorn Trophy is an international senior-level figure skating competition organized by the Deutsche Eislauf-Union and held annually in Oberstdorf, Germany. The competition is named after the Nebelhorn, a nearby mountain.... |
2nd | |||||
| Winter Universiade Figure skating at the Winter Universiade Figure skating is a part of the Winter Universiade. It was first held as part of the Universiade in 1960.-Men's singles:- Ladies singles :- Pair skating :- Ice dancing :-References:* -External links:*... |
1st |