Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata: The Love and Loss of Sergei Grinkov

Anna and Mikhail Grinkov were in the Russian police force, and were anxiously waiting the arrival of their new son. On February 4, 1967 in the highly populated capital of Moscow, Sergei Grinkov was born. Sergei received nothing but love and warmth from his loving parents and relatives.

One day, Anna and Mikhail decided to bring their 5 year old son, Sergei to the Central Army skating rink for a trial lesson. Five year old Sergei instantly fell in love with figure skating, and every day he couldn't wait to enter the rink. "He was a very ambitious boy, always working long hours on his jumps "said his skating trainer at Central Army Skating rink. At first it wasn't easy for Sergei. One day he would do good, and another other day so-so, but he was determined to make it to the top.

The much more mature Sergei enjoyed choreographing (the study of dance moves). He also appreciated weight-training and gymnastics. But Skating still proved to be his greatest interest. However, because of his high height at age 15, it was very difficult for him to perform high maneuvers, and twists. So in 1982 Sergei's coach and mother decided to pair him with Ekaterina Gordeeva, who at the time was 10 years of age. Ekaterina was born on March 20, 1972 to Alexander and Elena Gordeeva. Ekaterina's mother Elena was a computer specialist and a swimmer, and her father, Alexander was a member of the military- dance theater ensemble.

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As a child Ekaterina showed the same interest in figure skating as Sergei had done. Since Ekaterina's father, Alexander, was a member of the dance ensemble, he often helped her with her dance positions and maneuvers. Ekaterina or Katya (nickname) was often called Tinker Bell by her coaches because she usually did many off the ground routines where she would fly through the air gracefully and quickly. Katya is very serious, and is truly a hard worker. Besides skating Katya enjoys knitting, reading and cooking. Sergei did not really pay too much attention to Katya. To him she was only a skinny kid. When first paired, Katya often got annoyed with Sergei because he did not take her seriously. He would mimic her moves then laugh.

Professionally, Sergei and Ekaterina were often called the GG Team, which stands for Grinkov and Gordeeva (last names). Their skating moves were so complicated and so precise that even though Sergei was 11 inches taller than Ekaterina, they still jumped at the same height. This skill just didn't appear from thin air, they practiced consistently for hours and hours until they accomplished perfection. As adults they weighed in at, Ekaterina 90lbs and Sergei 179lbs. When they entered the ice for a performance, they seemed to be floating like a feather, skating swiftly and gracefully, like two diamonds on ice. Sergei and Katya liked performing to classical music. Performing to classical music increased the artistic and emotional value of their skating moves. Sergei and Katya usually chose their costumes to relate to the music they were performing to. If they were skating to romantic lyrics, they would most likely choose a deep and pure color, such as the color red (Sergei and Katya switched turns on choosing the music and the costumes).

Sergei's and Ekaterina's exhaustful work finally paid off, they won Olympic gold medals for pairs in 1988 and 1994. In 1994 Sergei and Katya skated to Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata, they scored four 6.0s and the rest 5.9 for artistic impression! They indulged the judges, with their new fantasy moves. And as if that wasn't enough, they won the World Championships not once, not twice but FOUR times! One in 1986, the second one in 1987 ( by then they were already considered unbeatable ), the third one in 1988 and the fourth one in 1990. After they won their fourth World Championships which was in 1990, they decided to challenge themselves by turning Pro. They were greatly admired for their accomplishments, by both Russians and Americans alike.

By 1989 Sergei Grinkov noticed that the little skinny kid had grown up to be a beautiful woman. That all this time he was searching and the one he was searching for was always there, holding his hand. Katya's bright blue eyes meet Sergei's and they instantly fell in love. Katya had fallen in love with Sergei way before he had noticed her change. She said "it took time to win him over." In April 21,1996, Sergei Grinkov and Ekaterina Gordeeva were married in Moscow, Russia in an Orthodox Church. Now they skated as couples, with a love and passion so great that it shined through every performance. Off the ice the couple liked romantic dinners, snuggling, and just spending time together. On September 1, 1992 Sergei's and Ekaterina's little angel daughter, Dasha was born. Dasha has blond hair, and like both of her parents, has blue eyes.

When Dasha was two years old Sergei and Ekaterina introduced her to the ice. At first, Dasha tried gliding along like Sergei and Ekaterina, but then toppled down to the ground. She did not want to skate anymore after that, laughs Sergei. But after a while Dasha soon discovered the secret to skating and is now skating well. Dasha has changed their lives dramatically, Sergei and Ekaterina became one soul in thoughts, in visions, and in emotions.

The fortunate family of three live in a condominium in Simsbury, Connecticut. Sergei and Ekaterina said that they really don't have much, but as long as they have each other they consider themselves as being rich. Sergei, Ekaterina and Dasha occasionally bumped into their neighbors, Vikor Petrenko and Oksana Baiul, gold medalists for singles (skaters). Viktor and Oksana were very supportive and frequently babysat Dasha when Sergei and Ekaterina were out performing or practicing.

Off the ice, the affectionate Grinkov family enjoyed watching movies (Doctor Zhivago -- Sergei's favorite), television programs (Mr. Bean) and the most important, enjoying each others company. Like any average family, Sergei and Ekaterina liked to travel. They used a white Volvo wagon, which was great for a beginning family. But Sergei hoped to one day own a sporty, fire engine red, Aston Martin.

On November 20th, 1995, Sergei and Ekaterina were training at Lake Placid Olympic Center for the Stars on Ice show tour. After completing one of their famous lifts, Sergei started complaining of dizziness. The pain was too overwhelming for Sergei. Ekaterina had to help him sit on the cold ice. The minute he sat down his head bobbed back and the man with so much warmth and life seemed to now be cold and lifeless. Ekaterina raced out of the ice screaming and crying as her fellow ice skaters watched with confusion. An ambulance soon arrived to take Sergei Grinkov to the Adirondack Medical Center, there he would be taken care of by Dr. Josh Schwartzberg.

Ekaterina stood nervously in the waiting room with a half frozen tear on her cheek. At 12:28 P.M., Dr. Josh Schwartzberg came up to her and said "Sorry Katya, your husband, Sergei Grinkov, has died." Ekaterina's heart had burst. She collapsed to the ground crying and striking her fists to the floor. After many hours of crying and grief, Ekaterina decided to see Sergei. As she entered the room, she spoke soft and gentle words to him (in Russian). She removed his skates, and stroked his pale face. Ekaterina's passion and love for Sergei will endure always.

Afterward, the doctors revealed the cause of Sergei's death. It had been due to severe blockages to two of his coronary arteries. In addition, Sergei had an enlarged heart, which causes an inability to pump blood to the heart in a level that meets the body's needs. Doctors also believed it was genetic. Sergei's father, Mikhail, also had the same symptoms before he collapsed and died. This illness is often called the widow maker.

Ekaterina arranged his wake to be at the Central Army Skating Rink, the very same place where Sergei had trained as a child. Sergei Grinkov was buried on November 25, 1995 in the Vagankovky cemetery, (Moscow, Russia). Ekaterina gave Sergei some purple pale flowers, not because of their beauty but for their significance. The flowers were first given to Ekaterina by Sergei, when they first fell in love.

It was very hard telling Dasha about her father's death. Dasha would sit in the living room, sad and quiet. Then she would ask " Mama, when is father coming back from his trip?" Ekaterina would tell her that Sergei has become an angle and is now watching over them from a distance, and even though you can not see or hear him; he will always be with you protecting you. Then Dasha would smile and kiss Ekaterina.

He was the perfect husband, the perfect father, the perfect skater. " We had it all, love, happiness, it was as if God had to take something back. " I miss him very much, but I have to be strong, for Dasha's sake" says Ekaterina. "Dasha helps me pull through the day, her lopsided smile resembles Sergei's. Every time I see Dasha, I see Sergei. How I love them so much. Dasha brings some sunshine on my cloudy days."

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