Olga Markova (figure skater)

Markova drew attention for her avant garde style and choreography. For example, her free skating program at Skate Canada in 1993, which she choreographed, emphasized the angular, straight-lined, and twisting shapes she made with her body, especially her long, thin arms and legs. Her costume was a streamlined solid-black dress and tights and produced a futuristic image consistent with the electronic music. Figure skating writer and historian Ellyn Kestnbaum called Markova's free skating program "an abstract program, focused on stark geometric shapes and direct movement qualities raher than on the classical moves or flowiness associated with traditional femininity".[2] She came in third place overall at Skate Canada..

Her highest placement at the World Figure Skating Championships was fifth, which she achieved in 1995. That year she was second after the short program, ahead of the eventual gold and silver medalists Lu Chen and Surya Bonaly. Her inability to land a clean triple lutz in the long program dropped her off the podium.

In 1998 Markova turned professional and won a silver medal at the World Professional Figure Skating Championships in Jaca, Spain. She has coached and choreographed for Kristina Oblasova and currently coaches Adrian Alvarado. She is an ISU technical specialist for Russia.[3]

GP: Champions Series (Grand Prix)

• Skatabase: 1990s Europeans
• Skatabase: 1990s Worlds