Mishkutenok and Dmitriev?

[SkateBlades17]

I was never that into pairs skating when I was young, so I didn't follow what happened with Mishkutenok and Dmitriev. I'm just wondering, why did they split up and then he skate with Oksana Kazakova? Watching old tapes back, Mishkutenok and Dmitriev were really beautiful together!

[Macassar88]

I was never that into pairs skating when I was young, so I didn't follow what happened with Mishkutenok and Dmitriev. I'm just wondering, why did they split up and then he skate with Oksana Kazakova? Watching old tapes back, Mishkutenok and Dmitriev were really beautiful together!

She wanted to retire but he didn't iirc

[oliver]

iirc, there was a "romance" problem....

[berthesghost]

iirc, there was a "romance" problem....

Yeah, dontya just hate it your guy knocks up some other girl.

[BigB08822]

iirc, there was a "romance" problem....

Morozov was at it even then!?

[zilam98]

i thought the backstory then was that mishkutenuk (sp?) was attracted to dmitriev, and that caused an awkward tension between the two since dmitriev was with someone else?

[gk_891]

i thought the backstory then was that mishkutenuk (sp?) was attracted to dmitriev, and that caused an awkward tension between the two since dmitriev was with someone else?

I had heard this too (that she liked him but he didn't in that way). But I'm not sure if this was speculation or if it was confirmed or not.

[BaileyCatts]

I'm sure I'll get slammed for not providing video proof of this, which I can't provide, but I actually did see this during a fluff piece on a US skating broadcast in mid-1990's (I'm guessing it was between 1992 and 1994 Olympics), and have always remembered it. In this fluff piece, M&D were being interviewed and Natalia literally broke down in tears when they were talking about no longer skating together, and the theme of the interview was that she was in love with Artur and thought they would be married, when he did not feel the same about her. I also remember it was said that Artur and their coaches had to hide the fact that his girlfriend was going to have a baby from Natalia so that she would not be distracted from competing.

Like I said, I can't provide a link, cause lawdy knows what event I saw it on with the dozens of skating shows we got (blessed) with in the 1990's, but I did see this on US television, I'm guessing CBS.

[berthesghost]

^ the whole thing was spun like "crazy stalker bitch threatens their chance for gold" but they all admitted to lying to her, and I'm not convinced he didn't lead her on for years just so they'd look more loved up on ice. G&G were a hard act to top.

[arakwafan2006]

Scandal

[PashaFan]

Back here in Blighty we never get any good gossip from the BBC.
Tell me more.............................................. .

[Willowway]

Artur wasn't married when all of this drama took place but to be clear, the "girl friend" became his first wife (they are now divorced) and the baby was Artur, Jr. So it wasn't just some casual thing. Artur is coaching in Russia now.

Natalia has her own family and coaches in Texas these days.

[leafygreens]

That's gotta be a tough situation for everyone. Usually you just hear about the pairs who end up getting married. Not one-sided romances!

[Aussie Willy]

I never heard about that one. I had heard things along the retirement line, that they didn't do well as professionals, that she became too big, etc. Who lot of stuff.

[blue_idealist]

I never heard about that one. I had heard things along the retirement line, that they didn't do well as professionals, that she became too big, etc. Who lot of stuff.

I definitely heard about the 'big' thing.. while she was noticeably larger than the other women competing in the pairs in '94 she was not at all fat by 'normal' standards!!

[LuckyCharm]

I'm sure I'll get slammed for not providing video proof of this, which I can't provide, but I actually did see this during a fluff piece on a US skating broadcast in mid-1990's (I'm guessing it was between 1992 and 1994 Olympics), and have always remembered it. In this fluff piece, M&D were being interviewed and Natalia literally broke down in tears when they were talking about no longer skating together, and the theme of the interview was that she was in love with Artur and thought they would be married, when he did not feel the same about her. I also remember it was said that Artur and their coaches had to hide the fact that his girlfriend was going to have a baby from Natalia so that she would not be distracted from competing.

Like I said, I can't provide a link, cause lawdy knows what event I saw it on with the dozens of skating shows we got (blessed) with in the 1990's, but I did see this on US television, I'm guessing CBS.

In the 94 Olympics fluff, it was presented as Artur having been a "big brother" figure to her and that was why she had such a hard time with the fact that he was basically growing up and getting a life. IIRC, she did break down and cry in that one, so it may have been the same one you described. However, the commentator didn't say anything to suggest that there was any romantic feeling between them, although it seemed obvious that there was, at least on Natalia's part. I mean, a grown woman just doesn't break down and cry on TV over losing her "brother figure" to his new wife. On the other hand, if she'd spent her whole life in the rink with no sense of herself outside of skating and no clue what she was going to do after it was over, I guess she could get that upset about the fact that the closest person to her moving on and leaving her behind, so who knows. I remember in the Goodwill Games exhibition (their last competition together, I think) they skated to "Somewhere In Your Heart" and I wasn't sure if it was a coincidence or a deliberate message. I was so ridiculously obsessed with this pair at the time.

Re: The weight thing, she'd apparently gained a lot of weight after Albertville. She'd lost most of it by the time they returned to competition in 94. I do remember them being disappointed with their pro career during that period, but post 94 was a different ballgame. I can't imagine them not at least making a comfortable living if they'd stuck around.

[Aussie Willy]

Found this on Wikipedia about Natalia.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natalia_Mishkutenok

Although if you want some more gossip there is this:

http://www.figureskatingmystery.com/...-dmitriev.html

[canbelto]

Whatever it is, I freaking loved them. Omg. Still one of the most inventive, charismatic pairs of all time. And I loved the death glares Natasha gave Artur when he made a mistake. They were awesome.

[Minou]

Natalia was dating Alexei Urmanov in 1992 --it was a long-term relationship -- when Artur told her he was going to be a father and get married. Natalia and Alexei were a super cute couple.

Their romance is highlighted here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckFYpyXOmzs
Aleksei Urmanov (EUN) - 1992 Albertville, Men's Free Skate

I think a lot of the "jilted Natasha" press was spin, especially leading up to the 1998 JO. I also think M&D may have had a teenage romance that passed...

And the swan comment? Natalia was a beautiful Swan à la Saint-Saens. Being a fan, I also think Natalia's superior line, edges, and much more are overlooked due to repeated discussions about her weight and flexibility.

They're my all time favs.

[DaiKozOda]

So Urmanov dated Marina Anissina and also Natalia M... The guy has some good taste