Yelena Berezhnaya
Elena was already a world-class pairs skater by the age of 15, skating
for Latvia with Oleg Shliakhov. In January of 1996, Shliakhov's skate
struck her in the head during practice and the blade penetrated her
skull. Elena made her return to the ice later that year with Anton
Sikharulidze. After less than a year together, they were European
medalists. In 1998, Elena and Anton won the Olympic silver medal and
the world championships.
