Born: 1941 (Leningrad, Soviet Union)
Tamara Nikolayevna Moskvina (Russian: Тамара Николаевна Москвина, née Bratus, Братус; born 26 June 1941) is a Russian pair skating coach and former competitive skater. She is widely regarded as one of the most successful and influential figure skating coaches in history, having coached multiple pairs to Olympic medals and world championships. Moskvina’s innovative coaching methods and keen eye for technical details have made her a highly sought-after coach worldwide.
Born in Leningrad (now Saint Petersburg), Tamara Moskvina grew up in a tumultuous period marked by World War II and the subsequent rebuilding of the Soviet Union. Despite the challenges of her early years, Moskvina discovered her passion for figure skating at a young age. At the age of 10, she began skating in Leningrad after her father obtained used skates for his daughters. Her talent and dedication quickly became apparent, and she joined the ranks of elite skaters in the Soviet Union.
Moskvina’s first coach was Ivan Bogoyavlensky, but she would later train under Igor Moskvin, who would eventually become her husband. Under Moskvin’s guidance, Moskvina honed her skills and rapidly rose through the ranks of Soviet figure skating. In 1962, she became the Soviet national ladies’ champion for the first time, a title she would go on to win four more times.
As a singles skater, Moskvina also competed internationally, with her best finish being 14th at the 1965 European Championships. Notably, Moskvina may have been the first to perform what is now called a Biellmann spin. Inspired by a gymnastics competition, she began attempting the spin on the ice and included it in her routines at the 1960 European Championships.
Under the guidance of her coach, Igor Moskvin, Tamara Moskvina made the transition from singles skating to pairs skating. This decision proved to be a pivotal moment in her career. Her first partner, Alexander Gavrilov, with whom she won the 1965 Soviet national title, retired at the end of the season. However, in the same year, Moskvina teamed up with Alexei Mishin, with whom she had trained alongside as a singles skater. The partnership with Mishin would prove to be highly successful, both on and off the ice.
Tamara Moskvina and Alexei Mishin became one of the top pairs in the Soviet Union, winning the bronze medal at the 1969 World Championships and becoming Soviet national champions. Their partnership was characterized by grace, precision, and a strong technical foundation. Moskvina’s attention to detail and ability to bring out the best in her skaters played a significant role in their success.
After retiring from competitive skating, Moskvina turned her focus to coaching. Her first notable achievement as a coach came in 1984 when she guided the pair of Elena Valova and Oleg Vasiliev to an Olympic gold medal. This success would be the first of many for Moskvina, as she went on to coach pairs to Olympic medals in six consecutive Winter Olympics, from 1984 to 2002.
Moskvina’s coaching prowess was further exemplified in 1992 and 1998 when she coached both the gold and silver medal-winning pairs at the Olympics. Her ability to train and develop pairs with different strengths and styles is a testament to her adaptability and deep understanding of the sport.
Throughout her coaching career, Tamara Moskvina has been recognized for her contributions to figure skating. Her innovative training methods and emphasis on technical excellence have had a lasting impact on the sport. Moskvina’s dedication to her skaters and her relentless pursuit of perfection have earned her the respect and admiration of athletes, coaches, and fans worldwide.
Today, Tamara Moskvina continues to inspire and shape the future of figure skating through her coaching. Her legacy as one of the most successful pair skating coaches in history is firmly established, and her impact on the sport will endure for generations to come.
Awards:
– Olympic Medalist Coach (1984, 1988, 1992, 1994, 1998, 2002)
– World Championship Medalist Coach
– Soviet National Ladies’ Champion (1962, 1963, 1964, 1965, 1966)
– Soviet National Pair Skating Champion (1969)
– Recipient of numerous coaching honors and accolades.