15 Facts About Marina Anissina

Marina Vyacheslavovna Anissina is a Franco-Russian ice dancer.

Marina Anissina is of Ukrainian descent on her mother's side.

Marina Anissina acquired French nationality by naturalization on 1 February 1996.

Marina Anissina spends time in France and works with young ice dancers.

Marina Anissina's mother, having been injured in pair skating, discouraged her from following in her footsteps so the young skater went into ice dancing.

Early in her career, Marina Anissina competed with Sergei Sakhnovski, representing the Soviet Union.

Marina Anissina trained for several months without a partner at the same rink as the new duo.

Marina Anissina received little help from the Russian federation in her search for a new partner.

Marina Anissina sent letters to both but the one to Kraatz did not reach him.

Peizerat did not respond immediately but when his partnership with Marina Morel fell apart, he contacted Anissina.

Marina Anissina arrived in Lyon, France, in February 1993, declaring her goal of becoming World and Olympic champion.

Marina Anissina wanted to bring Peizerat back to Russia with her but his family was opposed.

Marina Anissina settled in France and began learning the language but experienced homesickness.

Marina Anissina focused intensely on skating and insisted her partner, who was dividing his time between skating and his education, be equally focused on their career.

At one point in the free dance, Marina Anissina carried Peizerat completely off the ice and supported him on her hip, "as if to represent Juliet's emotional strength within the relationship".