Roman Zaretsky

Israeli retired ice dancer (born 1983)

Roman Zaretsky

Roman and Alexandra Zaretsky in 2009

Full name| Roman Zaretsky
Other names| Zaretski
Born|  (1983-12-04) December 4, 1983 (age 40)
Minsk, Belarus SSR
Hometown| Metulla, Israel
Height| 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Figure skating career
Country|  Israel
Partner| Alexandra Zaretsky
Skating club| Kochavim on the Ice
Began skating| 1987
Retired| June 20, 2010

Roman Zaretsky (Hebrew: רומן זרצקי, Russian: Роман Зарецкий, Belarusian: Раман Зарэцкі; born December 4, 1983) is an Israeli retired ice dancer. With his sister, Alexandra Zaretsky, he is the 2009 Skate America bronze medalist, 2009 Golden Spin of Zagreb champion, a three-time Nebelhorn Trophy medalist, and a three-time Israeli national champion. They finished 6th at the World Championships and competed twice at the Winter Olympics, finishing 10th in 2010.

## Biography[edit]

The Zaretskys and other medalists at the 2009 Nebelhorn Trophy

Roman Zaretsky was born on December 4, 1983, in Minsk, Belarus SSR, Soviet Union.[1] The Zaretsky family was Jewish and made aliyah, settling in Metula, Israel, in 1990.[2] Roman Zaretsky completed his army service just before the 2005–2006 season began. He speaks fluent Hebrew, Russian, and English.[3]

## Skating career[edit]

Roman Zaretsky began learning to skate at the age of four in Minsk.[3][2] He originally competed as a single skater, winning medals for his age group. When he wanted to switch to ice dancing, his sister was the only available girl at the rink, so their parents put them together.[4] She was seven and he was 11 when they switched to ice dancing.[3] They were coached by their mother until 2001, when they relocated for training to the United States.[5][2]

The siblings debuted on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series in October 2001, placing 11th in The Hague, Netherlands. They placed 19th at the 2002 World Junior Championships in Hamar, Norway.

### 2002–2003 season[edit]

In September 2002, the Zaretskys became the first Israeli figure skaters to medal on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series, taking bronze in Belgrade, Serbia. After winning another bronze, at a JGP event in Chemnitz, Germany, they were named the first alternates for a spot at the JGP Final. In January 2003, the siblings became the first Israelis to medal at the European Youth Olympic Festival.[6] They went on to finish eighth at the 2003 World Junior Championships in Ostrava, Czech Republic. They were coached by Irina Romanova and Igor Yaroshenko in Wilmington, Delaware.[4]

### 2003–2004 season[edit]

Competing in their third JGP season, the Zaretskys won silver in Mexico City, Mexico, and then gold in Gdańsk, Poland. They qualified for the first time to the JGP Final, where they would finish sixth. They placed ninth at the 2004 World Junior Championships in The Hague, Netherlands.

### 2004–2005 season[edit]

In their final JGP season, the Zaretskys took bronze in Chemnitz, Germany, and then silver in Miercurea Ciuc, Romania. In December, they placed eighth at the JGP Final in Helsinki, Finland. They decided to change coaches, switching to Evgeni Platov in January 2005.[7] In March, they competed at the 2005 World Junior Championships in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Ranked third in the compulsory dance, fourth in the original dance, and fifth in the free dance, they finished fourth overall.

### 2005–2006 season[edit]

The Zaretskys debuted on the senior Grand Prix series, placing 9th at both of their assignments. They were required to finish at least 15th at the 2006 European Championships in order to be sent to the Olympics as Israel's second team.[7] They accomplished this and were sent to Torino, where they placed 22nd.

### 2006–2007 season[edit]

In the summer of 2006, the Zaretskys briefly trained in Moscow because Platov was taking part in a skating reality show and then returned to the U.S. with Platov. Following Galit Chait / Sergei Sakhnovski's retirement at the end of the previous season, the siblings became the top Israeli ice dancing team. They won the bronze medal at the 2006 Nebelhorn Trophy, a senior "B" international, and finished just off the podium at the 2006 Cup of China. They finished 11th at the 2007 Europeans and 14th at the 2007 World Championships. They were coached by Platov in Little Falls, New Jersey until the end of the season.[8]

### 2007–2008 season[edit]

The Zaretskys perform their Hava Nagila original dance in 2009

They Zaretskys began their season with a new coaching team, having joined Galit Chait, Nikolai Morozov and Mathew Gates in Hackensack, New Jersey.[9]

They competed at two Grand Prix events, 2007 Skate America and 2007 Cup of China, repeating their 4th-place finish in China. They finished 8th at the 2008 Europeans and 9th at the 2008 World Championships, setting a new personal best score.

### 2008–2009 season[edit]

The Zaretskys perform at the 2009 Worlds

In October 2008, the Zaretskys and their coach Galit Chait filed a lawsuit against the Ice House training rink in Hackensack, New Jersey, alleging that rink officials discriminated against them on the basis of their Israeli nationality by denying them prime training time and threatening to ban them from the rink.[10]

The siblings had an up and down season, winning their first international event, the 2009 Winter Universiade, but placing lower at both the 2009 Europeans and 2009 World Championships than they had the previous year.

### 2009–2010 season[edit]

After a 5th-place finish at the 2009 Cup of China, the siblings won their first Grand Prix medal – bronze at the 2009 Skate America after placing fourth in the compulsory dance, third in the original dance, and second in the free dance. They were named third alternates for the Grand Prix Final. The Zaretskys won their next event, the 2009 Golden Spin of Zagreb, and skated to 7th place at the 2010 European Championships, their career-best result at that event.

Based on their top-ten finish at the Europeans, the Zaretskys met their national criterion for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.[11] There, in February 2010 they performed to music from Schindler's List in the free dance,[12] having chosen the music in part to honor 27 family members who died in Minsk during the Holocaust.[13] They finished tenth, setting new personal best scores in the free dance and overall. They went on to finish 6th at 2010 Worlds, again setting personal bests in the free dance and overall.

The Zaretskys announced their retirement from competitive skating on June 20, 2010, citing a lack of support from their federation as the reason.[14][15]

### Post-competitive career[edit]

The Zaretskys later performed in various ice shows, including Shall We Dance on Ice, and coached together for several years in Houston, Texas.[16]

## Programs[edit]

(with Alexandra Zaretsky)

Season  | Original dance | Free dance

|
|

2001–2002
[17][18] |

* Granada
* Torero Quiero

* The Ukraine
by Dean Marshall

2002–2003
[18][19] |

* Waltz: Les Patineurs
by Émile Waldteufel
* Galop: St. Petersburger Sleigh Ride

* Moulin Rouge!
by José Feliciano

2003–2004
[18][20][21] |

* Blues: Bad to the Bone
by George Thorogood
* Rock'n Roll: Americano
by Brian Setzer Orchestra

* The House
by Ben Walkins
performed by Orchestra Juno Reactor Gocoo
* Evrious Angel
by Rob Dougan
* Spybreak
by Alex Gifford
performed by the Propellerheads

* * *

* The Matrix
* The Matrix Reloaded
by Don Davis

2004–2005
[18][22] |

* Foxtrot
by Louis Armstrong
* Quickstep

* The Phantom of the Opera
by Andrew Lloyd Webber

2005–2006
[18][23] |

* Samba
performed by Mambo Kings
* Rhumba
performed by Mambo Kings
* Mambo
performed by Mambo Kings

* Caravan

2006–2007
[18][8] |

* Assassin's Tango
(from Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005 film))
by John Powell

* Carmina Burana
by Carl Orff

2007–2008
[18][9] |

* Shick, Shack, Shock
by Mustafa Sax

* Let my People Go
by Louis Armstrong
* Sing, Sing, Sing
by Louis Prima

2008–2009
[18][24][25] |

* Summertime
by Louis Armstrong, Ella Fitzgerald

* * *

* Lindy Hop: Are you hip to the jive
by Cab Calloway
* Swing: Sing, Sing, Sing
by Louis Prima

* Jesus Christ Superstar
by Andrew Lloyd Webber

2009–2010
[18][1] |

* Jewish folk: Hava Nagila

* Schindler's List
by John Williams

## Competitive highlights[edit]

GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

with Alexandra Zaretsky
International[26]

Event  | 99–00 | 00–01 | 01–02  | 02–03  | 03–04  | 04–05  | 05–06  | 06–07  | 07–08  | 08–09 | 09–10
Olympics |  |  |  |  |  |  | 22nd |  |  |  | 10th
Worlds |  |  |  |  |  |  | 20th | 14th | 9th | 13th | 6th
Europeans |  |  |  |  |  |  | 15th | 11th | 8th | 11th | 7th
GP Cup of China |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9th | 4th | 4th | 7th | 5th
GP Cup of Russia |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 5th |
GP NHK Trophy |  |  |  |  |  |  | 9th |  |  |  |
GP Skate America |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 8th | 7th |  | 3rd
Golden Spin |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1st
Nebelhorn |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 3rd |  | 2nd | 2nd
Skate Israel |  |  |  |  | 4th |  | 4th |  |  |  |
Universiade |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  | 1st |
International: Junior[26]
Junior Worlds |  |  | 19th | 8th | 9th | 4th |  |  |  |  |
JGP Final |  |  |  |  | 6th | 8th |  |  |  |  |
JGP Germany |  |  |  | 3rd |  | 3rd |  |  |  |  |
JGP Italy |  |  | 8th |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
JGP Mexico |  |  |  |  | 2nd |  |  |  |  |  |
JGP Netherlands |  |  | 11th |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |
JGP Poland |  |  |  |  | 1st |  |  |  |  |  |
JGP Romania |  |  |  |  |  | 2nd |  |  |  |  |
JGP Serbia |  |  |  | 3rd |  |  |  |  |  |  |
EYOF |  |  |  | 3rd |  |  |  |  |  |  |
National[26]
Israeli Champ. | 1st N | 1st J | 1st J | 1st J | 1st J |  | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st |
Levels: N = Novice; J = Junior

## See also[edit]

* Sport in Israel
* List of select Jewish figure skaters

## References[edit]

1. ^ a b "Alexandra ZARETSKY / Roman ZARETSKY: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on September 28, 2012.
2. ^ a b c McGrath, Charles (January 19, 2010). "Israel's Winter Athletes Come to U.S. Seeking Ice and Medals". The New York Times.
3. ^ a b c Golinsky, Reut (2010). "Alexandra and Roman Zaretsky: "We never left Israel"". Absolute Skating. Retrieved December 1, 2010.
4. ^ a b Mittan, Barry (October 23, 2002). "Zaretskys Add to Israel's Dance Future". GoldenSkate. Archived from the original on 2010-01-13. Retrieved December 1, 2010.
5. ^ Guzzardo, Jamie (February 18, 2010). "Ice dancing team hopes to build winter legacy for Israel". CNN. Archived from the original on February 21, 2010.
6. ^ "Man of the Year". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on October 11, 2003. Retrieved January 5, 2011.
7. ^ a b "Young Israelis to compete at Skate America". Jewish Ledger. October 25, 2006. Archived from the original on September 29, 2011.
8. ^ a b "Alexandra ZARETSKI / Roman ZARETSKI: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on July 4, 2007.
9. ^ a b "Alexandra ZARETSKI / Roman ZARETSKI: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 25, 2008.
10. ^ Ben-Ali, Russell (October 30, 2008). "Skaters, coach sue Hackensack rink". The Star-Ledger. New Jersey. Archived from the original on February 10, 2013.
11. ^ Kessler, Oren. "2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver / Israel's team: Two skaters, a skier". Haaretz. Archived from the original on 30 January 2010. Retrieved January 31, 2010.
12. ^ D'Alessandro, Dave (February 23, 2010). "Zaretsky, Reed siblings make Jersey proud in Olympic ice dancing". The Star-Ledger. New Jersey. Archived from the original on February 26, 2010.
13. ^ Krieger, Hilary Leila (February 19, 2010). "Zaretskys' Olympic dance a tribute to their Holocaust losses". The Jerusalem Post. Archived from the original on February 25, 2010.
14. ^ אהרוני, אורן (June 20, 2010). האחים זרצקי פרשו. האבא: "חושש לחייהם" [Zaretsky siblings have retired]. Ynet (in Hebrew). Ynet.com. Archived from the original on 23 June 2010.
15. ^ Barden, Brett (June 20, 2010). "Zaretskys announce retirement". SkateToday. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011.
16. ^ "Skating Moms Series: Alexandra Zaretsky". ice-dance.com. August 25, 2019.
17. ^ "Alexandra ZARETSKI / Roman ZARETSKI: 2001/2002". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 18, 2002.
18. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Music". ice-dance.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2011.
19. ^ "Alexandra ZARETSKI / Roman ZARETSKI: 2002/2003". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 4, 2003.
20. ^ "Alexandra ZARETSKI / Roman ZARETSKI: 2003/2004". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 13, 2003.
21. ^ "Alexandra ZARETSKI / Roman ZARETSKI: 2003/2004". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 18, 2004.
22. ^ "Alexandra ZARETSKI / Roman ZARETSKI: 2004/2005". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on April 4, 2005.
23. ^ "Alexandra ZARETSKI / Roman ZARETSKI: 2005/2006". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on July 2, 2006.
24. ^ "Alexandra ZARETSKI / Roman ZARETSKI: 2008/2009". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 26, 2008.
25. ^ "Alexandra ZARETSKI / Roman ZARETSKI: 2008/2009". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 27, 2009.
26. ^ a b c "Competition Results: Alexandra ZARETSKY / Roman ZARETSKY". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 13, 2012.

## External links[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Roman Zaretski.

* Official website
* Alexandra Zaretsky / Roman Zaretsky at the International Skating Union

* v
* t
* e

Golden Spin of Zagreb champions in figure skating – Ice dancing

* 1982:  Natalia Annenko / Genrikh Sretenski
* 1983:  Petra Born / Rainer Schönborn
* 1984:  Petra Born / Rainer Schönborn
* 1985:  Antonia Becherer / Ferdinand Becherer
* 1986:  Susan Wynne / Joseph Druar
* 1987:  Stefania Calegari / Pasquale Camerlengo
* 1988:  Melanie Cole / Michael Farrington
* 1989:  Elizaveta Stekolnikova / Oleg Ovsyannikov
* 1990:  Elisa Curtis / Robert Nardozza
* 1993:  Olga Pershankova / Nikolai Morozov
* 1996:  Iwona Filipowicz / Michał Szumski
* 1997:  Ksenia Smetanenko / Samuel Gezalian
* 1998:  Oksana Potdykova / Denis Petukhov
* 1999:  Galit Chait / Sergei Sakhnovski
* 2000:  Zita Gebora / András Visontai
* 2001:  Sylwia Nowak / Sebastian Kolasiński
* 2002:  Julia Golovina / Oleg Voyko
* 2003:  Nóra Hoffmann / Attila Elek
* 2004:  Diana Janošťáková / Jiří Procházka
* 2005:  Alla Beknazarova / Vladimir Zuev
* 2006:  Kristin Fraser / Igor Lukanin
* 2007:  Alla Beknazarova / Vladimir Zuev
* 2008:  Alla Beknazarova / Vladimir Zuev
* 2009:  Alexandra Zaretsky / Roman Zaretsky
* 2010:  Lucie Myslivečková / Matěj Novák
* 2011:  Nelli Zhiganshina / Alexander Gazsi
* 2012:  Ekaterina Riazanova / Ilia Tkachenko
* 2013:  Julia Zlobina / Alexei Sitnikov
* 2014:  Madison Hubbell / Zachary Donohue
* 2015:  Charlène Guignard / Marco Fabbri
* 2016:  Charlène Guignard / Marco Fabbri
* 2017:  Ekaterina Bobrova / Dmitri Soloviev
* 2018:  Piper Gilles / Paul Poirier
* 2019:  Charlène Guignard / Marco Fabbri
* 2021:  Kaitlin Hawayek / Jean-Luc Baker
* 2022:  Christina Carreira / Anthony Ponomarenko
* 2023:  Allison Reed / Saulius Ambrulevičius

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