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Skaters

Dance

Elliana Pogrebinsky

Born:

April 22, 1998

Birthplace:

Los Gatos, Calif.

Height:

5' 6"

Level:

Junior

Hometown:

San Jose, Calif.

Club:

Peninsula FSC

Ross Gudis

Born:

September 20, 1995

Birthplace:

Washington, D.C.

Height:

5' 10"

Level:

Junior

Hometown:

Chevy Chase, Md.

Club:

Washington FSC

Coach:

Alexei Kiliakov, Elena Novak, Dmytri Ilin

Choreographer:

Elena Novak

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

*2011 U.S. novice pewter medalists, '10 U.S. intermediate bronze medalists

SKATING NOTES

Formed partnership in March 2009.

Pogrebinsky began skating at age 3 in a "Mommy and Me" class ... Participated in the Basic Skills Program (2001-04) ... Competed in free style and synchronized skating before becoming an ice dancer ... Previously coached by Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko (2005-09).

Gudis began skating at age 5 ... Skated with Morgan Grant for one year.

PERSONAL NOTES

Pogrebinsky has an older brother named Daniel ... Parents are Natalia, a graphic/web designer, and Vladimir, an electronic engineer ... Has a parakeet named Ksyusha and a hamster named Smokey ... An honor roll student ... Won first place at the Montgomery County Middle School's Art Show ... Volunteers at an organization that helps autistic kids ... Love animals and donated all the money from her Bat Mitzvah to the Montgomery County Humane Society ... Tutors kids at Sunday Russian school.

Gudis' parents are Annie, an artist, and Jerry, an attorney ... Has two dogs, Bessie and Ralph ... An honor roll student ... Took the National Latin Exam ... Is a teacher's aid at the Washington Latin Charter School.

IN OUR WORDS

If I wasn't a figure skater ... (Pogrebinsky) I would continue dancing and doing gymnastics. Before switching to ice dance full time, I studied ballet, was a competitive ballroom dancer and the rhythmic gymnastics Pacific Region champion. I was one of the 25 best gymnasts in U.S. nominated to the "Future Stars" team and qualified for three Rhythmic Gymnastics National Championships at three different levels.
... (Gudis) I would play hockey because I love the ice so much.

I look up to ... (Pogrebinsky) my coaches and my friends and fellow competitors from WISA Academy. From previous champions, I admire Sasha Cohen, who was so beautiful and flexible, that I loved to learn and perform her unique elements. Among ice dancers, I look up to Olympic champions Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko, my previous coaches in California, and Tanith Belbin, whose beauty and talent helped me to choose to pursue ice dancing.
... (Gudis) New York Yankee Derek Jeter because of his character and his great athleticism.

My favorite thing about being a figure skater is ... (Pegrebinsky) the speed, beautiful music and costumes. I love to perform with my partner in front of the judges and spectators, playing different roles and imagining stories. I also love to travel to competitions, see interesting places and meet new people.
... (Gudis) that each day I get to fly around the ice with my partner and see my friends. I also love to compete and travel.

My figure skating hero is ... (Gudis) my coach, Alexei Kiliakov. He is the best skater in our group, he works the hardest and is so dedicated to our academy.

I manage my pre-skate jitters by ... (Gudis) listening to my iPod, joking with my partner and doing breathing exercises.

After I'm done skating, I want to ... (Pogrebinsky) be a model. I love to draw and would enjoy a career of an artist, graphic, interior or costume designer.
... (Gudis) practice driving home, watch sports on TV, eat a gigantic meal and hang out with my non-skating friends.

My hobbies are ... (Pogrebinsky) reading, playing guitar and riding horses. If I have time to watch TV, I love "America's Top Model," "So You Think You Can Dance?", "Dancing with the Stars" and various animal shows.

Something most people don't know about me is ... (Gudis) that I can hit a paddle ball over 800 times in a row.

The best moment of my figure skating career thus far was ... (Pogrebinsky) competing at 2012 U.S. Championships in my hometown, San Jose, Calif., where my family and school friends as well as skating pals and previous coaches were able to cheer for our team and see me skating again after three years of living and training on East Coast.

OUR FAVORITES

Pogrebinsky

Off-ice conditioning: Running, stretching
Warm up music: Pop
Thing to do on a day off: Going to the movies or the mall with friends
Way to relax: Listen to the music or watch TV or a movie on Netflix
Olympic sport: Rhythmic gymnastics
Beverage: Sprite or 7UP
Snack: Dried fruit or seaweed
Meal: Pasta with shrimp
Book: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Program of my career: My intermediate free dance, "Mimes." It was my first program with my partner and it was a lot of fun.
Costume of my career: This year's free dance costume. It's very colorful, elegant and beautiful.

Gudis

Off-ice conditioning: Running, stretching, ballet
Warm up music: "Pump-up" music
Thing to do on a day off: Go to a baseball game
Ways to relax: Go to the movies, hang out with friends
Olympic sport: Luge
Beverage: Grape juice
Snacks: Homemade cookies
Meal: Steak sandwich
Teams: New York Yankees
Book: Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde by Robert Louis Stevenson

WE PREFER

Pogrebinsky

Gloves or No Gloves
E-Reader or Book
Lift or Footwork
Theater or Rental
Homecooking or Restaurant
Treadmill or Trail
Short Dance or Free Dance
Pre-competition nap: No

Gudis

Gloves or No Gloves
E-Reader or Book
Lift or Footwork
Theater or Rental
Homecooking or Restaurant
Treadmill or Trail
Short Dance or Free Dance
Pre-competition nap: No

PAST SEASON NOTES

2013 Season Notes
SD Music: "Overpowered" and "Cry, Baby" by Roisin Murphy, "The Blues" by Mr. De Renaissance
FD Music: Selections from Masquerade by Aram Khachaturian

Costumes designed by Stephanie Handler, Elena Pollack, Alisa Mandel
2012 Season Notes
SD Music: "Relax Max" by Dina Washington, "Party is Over" by Peggy Lee
FD Music: "Master and Margarita" by Igor Kornelyuk
2011 Season Notes
FS Music: "Spirit of the Universe" and "Tetsujin" by Don Davis

ISJ Personal Bests

INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

U.S. QUALIFYING COMPETITION