Profile
Name: Maria Butyskaya
Birthdate: June 28, 1972
Country: Russia
Discipline: ladies
Status: professional
Who is Maria?
Maria Butyrskaya is the 1999 World Champion. She finished just off the podium at fourth place in the 1998 Olympics, and at the recent 2002 Olympics she finished fifth. Masha always performs elegantly, but her gracefulness on the ice is not always rewarded because she sometimes has troubles with nerves. She is also largely her own choreographer. After skating her short program at the 2002 World Championships, she decided to return home and turn professional. At the end of her amateur career, Maria Butyrskaya can be proud of being 7-time Russian National Champion. She also was the first Russian female and oldest woman, at age 26, to win gold at the World Championships. Other career highlights: 3-time European Champion and 3-time World Medalist. Now, Masha competes in pro/am events and shows.