Andrei Bukin


Andrei Anatolievich Bukin is a Russian former ice dancer who represented the Soviet Union in his competitive career. With his partner Natalia Bestemianova, he is the 1988 Olympic Champion, 1984 Olympic silver medalist, four-time World champion, three-time World silver medalist, and five-time European champion.

Career

Bukin began figure skating at age seven, entering the Children and Youth Sports School of CSKA in Moscow. The group trained at a small stadium in Chapayevsky Park near Pesochnaya Square. At age ten, he joined Spartak and began ice dancing, originally training at the Small Sports Arena of the Central Lenin Stadium. In his early career, he was coached by Nadezhda Shirokova and his ice dancing partner was Olga Abankinka, whom he married. In 1977, he joined the group of the famous coach Tatiana Tarasova, who paired him with Natalia Bestemianova. Bukin was the USSR Olympic Team Flag Bearer at the 1988 Winter Olympics. The duo capped their lengthy career by winning the gold medal there and at that year's World Championships.

Personal life

Bukin married former ice dancing partner, Olga Abankina, with whom he has a son Andrei. With his current partner, Elena Vasiukova, a former ice dancer, he has a son, Ivan Bukin, born in 1993, who is also a competitive ice dancer.

Competitive highlights

With Bestemianova

With Abankina

Programs

SeasonOriginal set patternFree danceExhibition
1987–1988Polovetsian Dances
1986–1987Cabaret medley
1985–1986
1984–1985
1983–1984
1982–1983
1981–1982
1980–1981
1979–1980

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