Irina Vorobyeva: life, career, and the legacy of a pioneering figure skater
The press service of the Russian Figure Skating Federation reported the death of renowned Soviet skater Irina Vorobyeva on April 12, at the age of 63. While official causes of death were not immediately confirmed, her daughter Alisa Vorobyeva suggested it may have been the result of an accident.
“She lived and died in the United States, and she was 63 years old. The funeral arrangements are not finalized yet; I will need to travel there,” Alisa Vorobyeva stated. “Only this morning did I learn more about the incident. Preliminary information indicates an accident where my mother fell at home.” The family noted that burial would take place in Russia beside her parents, according to preliminary reports to TASS.
Vorobyova, born in Leningrad, came from a family with athletic leanings. Her father practiced track and her mother played basketball. Irina began figure skating at seven and by thirteen began training under Tamara Moskvina, who was then a rising coach. In 1971 she teamed up with Alexander Vlasov, a partnership that followed her previous collaboration with Elena Komarova, as Vlasov would become her second partner in that era.
With Vlasov, the pair explored new moves and developed their distinctive style. They were the first in the world to perform a triple salchow twist at a competition. Their first international appearance came in 1974 at the World Championships in Munich. Although they did not medal, the event underscored Vorobyeva’s formidable resolve, showing an athlete of iron will who could persevere through pain.
Before their performance, she fell on the ice, finishing the routine with a facial bruise. That resilience would characterize much of her career, which was defined as a series of battles and strategic comebacks that showcased her extraordinary determination.
During Innsbruck 1976, the couple highlighted their Olympic journey by placing fourth, leaving the Olympic podium just out of reach. The late 1970s brought significant success: in 1977 Vorobyeva and Vlasov earned silver medals at the USSR, World, and European championships. Yet an injury interrupted much of that momentum and forced a lengthy break from competition. That setback led Vlasov to train under Alexei Mishin, and a year later he retired from competitive skating.
After recovering, Vorobyeva returned to the ice with former single skater Igor Lisovsky. The injuries persisted, and a concussion during training jeopardized their plans for the 1979 World Championships. They still competed, finishing fourth, but did not qualify for the Lake Placid Olympics that year. The 1980/81 season brought a remarkable turnaround: Vorobyeva and Lisovsky captured both the World Championship and the European Championship titles, marking the pinnacle of her competitive achievements.
The following season saw them earning bronze medals at the Soviet and European championships. Soon after, Vorobyeva left major competitive skating and joined the All Stars ice ensemble led by Tatyana Tarasova and Yuri Ovchinnikov, performing for several years in public showcases.
In the early 1990s Vorobyeva relocated to the United States with her husband, Igor, where she coached for a long period in Colorado. They had a daughter, Alice, who followed her parents into the world of skating, pursuing synchronized skating. Even then, however, the burden of injuries lingered; Vorobyova is known to have sustained 11 concussions during her career.
Her medical history included several surgeries, including one particularly challenging operation in Russia in 2010 for a deteriorating knee injury. Even after surgery, doctors feared she might not walk again. She stepped away from full-time training and returned to the United States without substantial rehabilitation funds. The later years of her life remained private, with few public appearances. Should Alisa Vorobyeva’s account be accurate, the injuries may have continued to cast a long shadow over her fate.
“Throughout her sports career, paired with her partners, Irina demonstrated extraordinary results. She was intensely dedicated and hardworking—a person of iron will and a strong character. She never gave in to adversity and knew how to pull together at the right moments,” remembered Tamara Moskvina, whose remarks are cited on the official site of the Russian Figure Skating Federation.
Another prominent voice, Tatyana Tarasova, reflected on Vorobyeva’s legacy. The renowned coach noted that despite numerous injuries, the skater achieved remarkable success. “She was among the early couples associated with Tamara Moskvina. She possessed immense talent and achieved much in her skating career. Our condolences go to her entire family—the mother and daughter. She left too soon,” Tarasova stated.