Natalia Bestemyanova: sports biography. Figure skating

"A woman should be weak, but I can not afford it," Natalya Bestemyanova said once, smiling. Although anyone, no matter how, enjoy a happy family life and be weak with a strong man. Natalia's husband is an eminent figure skater, Honored Master of Sports and now a coach, as well as ice show director Igor Bobrin. They were married back in 1983. But apparently calm is not about Bestemyanov. At 55, she again storms new peaks and does not give herself a slack. Natalia is in demand as a coach, she actively participates in television projects about figure skating, is engaged in charity and helps her husband in their joint project "Theater of ice miniatures". But after all, she already has a dizzying career. Natalia Bestemyanova - figure skater, Olympic champion in 1988, repeated world and European champion.

How was tempering tempered?

A little girl is sitting in front of a small black and white screen. With a sinking and ecstasy she watches Lyudmila Belousova magically slip along the ice in a pair with Oleg Protopopov. Through the flickering of the screen you can see how easily the ice cuts the ice - Belousova, as if fluttering. And all this with music, with applause and enthusiastic remarks by the commentator behind the scenes. Natalia Bestemyanova remembers herself in love with figure skating.

But there could be nothing, and the dream of skating was risking to remain a dream. In 4 years, a small Natasha suffered an operation on her leg. A trivial, uncomplicated operation, as Bestemyanova admits now. However, the psychological fear remained, it was terrible to rely on walking on the operated leg. And so, to help the girl overcome her insecurity, the doctors advised us to go in for sports.

Well, where can I give the girl? Of course, in figure skating! This is how Natasha's parents decided. Choreography, posture, classical music - in general, some pluses! In addition, the popularity of this sport in the USSR gained momentum. So, at 5 years Bestemyanova got on skates.

The days of training were stretched. Natalia clenched her teeth and gave her word - to become on the ice at least Lyudmila Belousova!

Ordinary Soviet family

Natasha's parents had nothing to do with figure skating. It was the most usual, but quite happy and happy family, although not wealthy. Natalia Bestemyanova's mother was brought up in an orphanage and went through the horrors of war. But it was from the mother that the future champion inherited the love of beauty and artistry. Father of Natalia taught technical sciences and defended his thesis.

In the Bestemyanov family it was customary to pay great attention to children. Natalia's mother did not work, she devoted all her time to her daughter and her son, empathizing with them and helping them to solve any vital issues.

From single skating to steam room

From the age of 15 Natalia Bestemyanova began to skate under the guidance of Eduard Pliner. Distinguished sport achievements have appeared. As a single-figure skater Natalia won the junior championship of the country, and also won the USSR Cup.

But then she took the unexpected decision for many - to go to the pair figure skating, namely - to dance on ice. According to her, in his career at the time, stagnation came. The thing is that the sports Olympus was won by a new figure skater - Elena Vodorezova. Her performance programs were more difficult, and the technique of performance was higher. "Surrendered, surrendered, chickened out?" - malicious tongues about Bestemyanov were whispering, but only she knows how difficult and bitter it was to make such a decision. After all, moving to a pair of skating in 17 years is akin to the beginning of a career, again making our way to the heights from the very bottom ...

"If there was not Andrei ..."

Since 1977, Natalia has partnered with Andrei Bukin in ice dances. To train them took herself Tatyana Tarasova. It turned out to be a loner and perform in a duet - these are two big differences. Andrei Bukin was already experienced in this sport and taught many lessons to Natalia. While they were getting used to each other and mastering the programs of performances, no one seriously took a stake on this pair. Tatiana Tarasova at that time had other, more promising and already popular wards.

However, the purposefulness and industriousness of Natalia Bestemyanova did their job. Plus, the reliability and experience of Andrei Bukin, as well as the firmness and talent of Tatyana Tarasova led the pair to a victory podium. The guys started to perform successfully not only inside the country, but also to take prizes from abroad.

Sports commentators paid tribute to the brightness and emotionality of Natalia. She was often called the duo leader. But Bestemyanova herself categorically disagrees with this. "I would not look so good," she assures, "if there was not Andrei, but someone else."

The main step in the career

Speech, of course, about the Olympics. To these competitions every athlete is preparing almost all his career. And to take the "gold" at the Olympic Games is expensive.

But it did not happen the first time. In 1984, in Sarajevo Bestemyanova and Bukin became only second in ice dancing, having received "silver". However, already in 1988 for the Games in Calgary, the pair was driving with a clear installation - to become the leader. As Tatyana Tarasova loved to repeat, in order to win in dancing, one must be not one, but two heads better than rivals.

According to Bestemyanova, it was the Olympic Games that were always a stress for her. In an arbitrary program in Calgary, she almost fell, performing one of the elements. The situation was saved by Bukin, who managed to catch the athlete in time. Fortunately, the judges did not notice anything. From the side it seemed that this was part of the program. And the "gold" went to the couple.

With her permanent partner Andrey Bukin, Natalya continued to perform after the Olympics. They won the World Cup, held in Budapest. Although they went to competitions without a coach. Tatyana Tarasova got to the hospital, and, in general, according to Bestemyanova, did not even advise the couple to participate in the competition. Then it seemed that the skaters had already taken the main prize in their career, and they were already preparing a worthy change. But the champion pair still proved that it can even after the Olympics take high steps of the pedestal.

Was there a service romance?

Red, fiery girl and stately high partner ... The audience was sure that Bukin and Bestemyanova novel. In addition, they managed to match the role of passionate lovers in their performances on the ice. And yet this is only speculation. Andrei Bukin was already married by the time of the meeting with Natalia. The wife often attended their training sessions. But Bukin had no occasion for jealousy. And Natalia Bestemyanova was secretly and hopelessly in love with ... the married Igor Bobrin. Although their personal acquaintance has not yet happened. Bestemyanova only saw his performances and heard about him from colleagues.

"And I love a married man"

Natalia Bestemyanova does not consider herself as a dissenter. By her confession, if a man leaves the family, then everything is not all right. And Natalia did not have a goal to lead Igor. She admired him from the side, but she did not take steps toward rapprochement. And the very fate interfered - Bobrin and Bestemyanov were put in one pair at the final performance in the ice show in 1980. However, only a few months later the lovers began to meet. And Igor lived in Leningrad, and Bestemyanov - in Moscow. But the distance was easily overcome. Igor Bobrin literally flew for the weekend, inspired by love, to Natalia, leaving his wife and young son Maxim.

And then the problems began. Tatyana Tarasova was in a warm relationship with Bobrin's wife, so this extra-marital affair was condemned by her. Fortunately, professionalism prevailed. The subject of the love triangle was not raised in training, but the atmosphere remained tense for a long time.

The wedding was played only in 1983. Natalia laughs, saying that she made the offer. Simply, suddenly, even for myself, after a quarrel with Bobrin because of some nonsense suddenly blurted out: "And let's get married?".

The couple decided to marry in Paris. Now they periodically fly to the French capital to visit the very restaurant where Igor donated Natalya's ring.

By the way, Tatiana Tarasova still became a witness at their wedding, resigned to such an alliance.

Natalia Bestemyanova: children only in dreams

Unfortunately, this dream has remained a dream. A famous couple does not like to raise this topic when communicating with journalists. There is a rumor that Natalia can not have children because of her health condition. However, her husband Igor has a son Maxim from his first marriage. And with him Bestemyanov built a warm and friendly relationship. Not immediately Maxim recognized Natalia. Only at the youthful age did he take the first step toward communicating with his new father's chosen one. Today Maxim often visits a star family.

In general Natalia loves quiet family evenings. However, they are not given out often. The couple of Bobrins constantly travels on foreign business trips, tours or just for days are lost at work. But the sweeter is the return home, as Natalia admits.

Corner of peace and comfort

Natalia Bestemyanova's house is an entire country mansion, which is designed to meet all the requirements of a stellar couple. There is a note of individuality here. Thus, the father of Natalia participated in the masonry of the fireplace. A family friend and artist Natella Abdulaeva embodied her creative ideas in the wall paintings of the mansion.

Right under the windows of the house grow pine, oak, spruce. The present fresh forest air perfectly restores strength. There are also luxurious flower beds. Bestemyanova is sure that a couple of minutes on the terrace of the house and contemplation of such beauty, and you are again charged with positive energy.

But caring for the house is a troublesome business, Natalia complains. Besides, she considers herself not the best mistress. Yes, really there to say, Igor, in her opinion, even cooks much better than her. Especially he manages the meat on fire. A couple of years ago, Bobrin brought sesame seeds from Asia. Planted and now surprises the guests with a wonderful dish - wrapped in sesame leaves with pieces of meat, fried on the grill.

Future plans

Natalia Bestemyanova is such an interesting and unordinary personality. Her biography is very eventful, as she is always full of energy and looks forward with optimism. So much remains to be done. Her main work today is the participation in Igor's project "The Theater of Ice Miniatures". Andrei Bukin also played there a long time ago. The theater has already toured in about 20 countries around the world.

Natalia tried herself in the writing business. In co-authorship with Bukin and Bobrin she published the book "A Couple in which Three". In general, this is the biography of three skaters and their view of the world championships from within.

And, of course, Natalia Bestemyanov's coaching job is waiting for him. Without it, nowhere. So, she will not want to go on deserved rest for many more years.