figure skaterSovietOlympicmedalist

Alexandre Fadeev

Alexandre Fadeev is a former Soviet and Russian figure skater, 1985 World and four-time European champion, now working as a coach.

1. Overview

Alexandre Vladimirovich "Sasha" Fadeev (Александр Владимирович ФадеевAlexandr Vladimirovich FadeyevRussian, born January 4, 1964) is a former Soviet and Russian competitive figure skater. Throughout his distinguished career, Fadeev earned numerous accolades, most notably becoming the 1985 World champion and a four-time European champion. He also secured six national titles at the Soviet Championships and won the World Junior Championships in 1980. After retiring from competitive skating, he transitioned into professional shows and currently works as a coach.

2. Personal Life

Alexandre Fadeev was born on January 4, 1964, in Kazan, which was then part of the Russian SFSR within the Soviet Union. He is married to Cydèle Fadeeva, a Canadian figure skater. Fadeev currently resides in Illinois, United States, where he works as a coach in the Chicago area. His height is recorded as 5.4 ft (1.65 m).

3. Career

Fadeev's figure skating career spanned from his junior days through successful senior competitive years, culminating in professional engagements and coaching.

3.1. Junior Career and Early Achievements

Fadeev began his competitive career in the late 1970s. He made his mark early on by winning a bronze medal at the 1979 World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Augsburg. The following year, he ascended to the top of the podium, capturing the gold medal at the 1980 World Junior Figure Skating Championships held in Megève. By the 1980-81 season, he was competing at the senior level, placing ninth at the European Championships.

3.2. Senior Competitive Career

Fadeev's senior competitive career was marked by significant achievements in major international competitions, including the World Championships, European Championships, and Olympic Games.

3.2.1. World Championships

Fadeev was a consistent presence and medalist at the World Figure Skating Championships. In the 1983-84 season, he achieved his first World podium finish, earning a bronze medal at the 1984 World Figure Skating Championships in Ottawa. His career highlight came at the 1985 World Figure Skating Championships in Tokyo, where he won the gold medal by placing first in all three segments of the competition: compulsory figures, the short program, and the long program. He notably finished ahead of strong competitors like Brian Orser (silver) and Brian Boitano (bronze).

At the 1986 World Figure Skating Championships in Geneva, Fadeev entered the long program with a comfortable lead, needing only a third-place finish in that segment to defend his title. However, he made five major mistakes, which dropped him to fifth in the long program and secured him the bronze medal overall, behind Brian Boitano (gold) and Brian Orser (silver). He earned another bronze medal at the 1987 World Figure Skating Championships in Cincinnati, once again finishing behind Orser and Boitano.

Despite leading after the compulsory figures at the 1988 World Figure Skating Championships, Fadeev withdrew from the competition before the short program. At the 1989 World Figure Skating Championships, he again led after the compulsory figures but dropped to fourth overall due to poor placements in both the short and free programs.

3.2.2. European Championships

Fadeev was exceptionally successful at the European Figure Skating Championships, claiming four gold medals. His first European title came in 1984 at the 1984 European Figure Skating Championships in Budapest. He also secured bronze medals in 1983 in Dortmund and in 1986 in Copenhagen. He regained his European title in 1987 at the 1987 European Figure Skating Championships in Sarajevo, receiving several perfect 6.0 scores. He successfully defended his title at the 1988 European Figure Skating Championships in Prague and earned his fourth European gold medal at the 1989 European Figure Skating Championships in Birmingham.

3.2.3. Olympic Games

Fadeev competed in two Winter Olympic Games. At the 1984 Winter Olympics in Sarajevo, he finished in seventh place. He later participated in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, where he delivered his best performance in the compulsory figures. However, lower placements in the short program (ninth) and free program (fourth) ultimately dropped him out of medal contention, and he finished fourth overall.

3.2.4. Other International Events

Beyond the major championships, Fadeev also achieved notable results in other international competitions. He won the NHK Trophy twice, in 1984 and 1988. He also secured silver medals at the NHK Trophy in 1982 and 1989, the latter where he finished second to Viktor Petrenko but ahead of reigning World champion Kurt Browning. Fadeev was a frequent winner at the Prize of Moscow News, taking gold multiple times and a bronze medal in 1983. In the 1989-90 season, he won his final Soviet national title, defeating Viktor Petrenko, before concluding his amateur competitive career.

3.3. Professional Activities and Post-Retirement Life

After retiring from competitive skating in 1990, Fadeev transitioned into professional ice shows. He was a cast member in the 1998 movie The Christmas Angel: A Story on Ice and performed in the Gershwin on Ice theatre show alongside Tiffany Chin. He also performed as part of Disney on Ice shows in North America throughout the 1990s. Today, Fadeev works as a coach in the Chicago area, continuing his involvement in the sport.

4. Competition Results

International
Event1978-791979-801980-811981-821982-831983-841984-851985-861986-871987-881988-891989-90
Olympics7th4th
Worlds14th10th4th3rd1st3rd3rdWD4th
Europeans9th5th3rd1st3rd1st1st1st
NHK Trophy9th2nd1stWD1st2nd
Moscow News5th1st3rd1st1st1st3rd
International: Junior
Junior Worlds3rd1st
National
Soviet Champ.4th2nd3rd1st1st1st1st1st1st


WD = Withdrew

5. Assessment and Legacy

Alexander Fadeev is remembered as one of the most prominent male figure skaters of the 1980s, representing the formidable Soviet Union team. His 1985 World Championship title, achieved by winning all segments of the competition, showcased his exceptional all-around skill in compulsory figures, short programs, and free skating. His multiple European and Soviet titles further cemented his status as a dominant force in the sport. Fadeev's performances, characterized by strong technical elements and artistry, contributed significantly to the sport during his era, inspiring future generations of skaters in both the Soviet Union and globally.