Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 hours ago

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Ah the old post-World's European tour which hasn't been a thing for years sadly. 1973 saw the debut of a new pair who were newly married: Lyudmilla Smirnova who used to skate with Andrei Suraikin finishing 2nd at the 1972 Winter Olympics, and Alexei Ulanov who used to skate with Irina Rodnina and won the 1972 Winter Olympics.

They left their partners, married and skated together for two seasons, finishing second each time to Rodnina and her new partner Alexander Zaitsev.

They were so well matched and their skating was truly beautiful.