# Alena Leonova

Alena Igorevna Leonova (Russian: Алёна Игоревна Леонова; born 23 November 1990) is a retired Russian figure skater. She is the 2012 World silver medalist, the 2011 Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, the 2009 World Junior champion, and a three-time (2010–2012) Russian national medalist. She is also the 2014–15 ISU Challenger Series runner-up.

## Personal life

Alena Igorevna Leonova was born on 23 November 1990 in Saint Petersburg (Leningrad). She has a sister and brother, both of whom skated when they were young.
In April 2019, Leonova married figure skater Anton Shulepov. On 18 February 2022, gave birth to a son Artemy.

## Career
### Early career

Leonova started skating at the age of four. Coached initially by Marina Vakhrameeva, she later moved to the group of Tatiana Mishina, who was assisted by Alla Piatova. Piatova formed her own group and became Leonova's main coach when she was 10.
In her junior career, Leonova became a two-time Cup of Nice gold medalist and won silver at the 2007 Junior Grand Prix in Romania. She also won the silver medal at the 2008 Russian Junior Championships. In August 2008, she partially tore ligaments in her right ankle joint. She placed fourth at the 2009 European Championships. She then won gold at the 2009 World Junior Championships., a surprising win as the focus was on Caroline Zhang, Ashley Wagner, and Elene Gedevanishvili as the leading contenders for the title. After her win, the Russian Federation rented an apartment for her.

### 2009–10 season

Leonova won the bronze medal at the 2009 Cup of Russia and the silver medal at the 2009 NHK Trophy. These results qualified her for the Grand Prix Final, where she placed sixth. She then won the silver medal at the 2010 Russian Championships and was selected to compete at the 2010 Winter Olympics, where she placed ninth. She concluded her season by placing 13th at the 2010 World Championships.

### 2010–11 season

Leonova started her season at the 2010 Coupe de Nice where she won the gold medal. After picking up a pair of bronze medals at the 2010 Finlandia Trophy and 2010 Cup of China, she won another silver medal at the 2011 Russian Championships. Leonova then finished fourth at the 2011 World Championships. Following the event, she began working full-time with Nikolai Morozov in Moscow.

### 2011–12 season

Leonova decided to compete in three Grand Prix events in the 2011–12 season. After placing fourth at the 2011 Skate Canada, she won bronze at 2011 NHK Trophy and silver at 2011 Cup of Russia to qualify for her second Grand Prix Final. At the Grand Prix Final, she won the bronze medal.
Leonova won the bronze medal at the 2012 Russian Championships. At the 2012 European Championships, she finished seventh and sustained an injury to her left knee during the free skate. Leonova placed first in the short program at the 2012 World Championships on her way to her first World medal, a silver. Her podium finish was Russia's first in ladies' singles since 2005 when Irina Slutskaya won the title. Leonova was named Russia's team captain at the 2012 World Team Trophy. Competing with a cold, she finished seventh in the ladies' event.

### 2012–13 season

Leonova finished seventh at the 2012 Skate America. She placed sixth at her next Grand Prix event, the 2012 Rostelecom Cup. Her coach attributed Leonova's poor performances at the events to worn out equipment. Leonova finished seventh at the 2013 Russian Championships where she competed with a new long program that was put together one week before the competition. She was not assigned to the 2013 European Championships because Nikol Gosviani placed ahead of Leonova amongst the age-eligible ladies. Leonova was sent to the 2013 World Championships. She returned to her long program from the previous season and finished thirteenth at the event.

### 2013–14 season

Leonova withdrew from her first 2013–14 Grand Prix event, the 2013 Skate Canada, due to a sprained ankle. Leonova competed in her second event, at the 2013 NHK Trophy and finished seventh. At the 2014 Russian Championships, Leonova placed fourth in the short and seventh in the free, finishing fifth overall. She was assigned to the 2014 European Championships because the skaters in third and fourth place (Elena Radionova and Alexandra Proklova respectively) were not yet age-eligible for senior ISU Championship events. Leonova missed the podium at Europeans, finishing fourth overall. She was coached by Morozov in Novogorsk, Moscow until the end of the season.

### 2014–15 season

In June 2014, Leonova began training under Evgeni Rukavicin in Saint Petersburg. She started the 2014–15 season with a silver medal at the 2014 Nebelhorn Trophy. Her 2014–15 Grand Prix assignments were the 2014 Skate Canada International and 2014 NHK Trophy. She then finished ninth at the 2016 Russian Championships. She ended her season with a win at the Russian Cup Final.

### 2017–18 season

Alena finished fifth in both the 2017 CS Finlandia Trophy and the 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy, resulting in her finishing seventh in the 2017–18 ISU Challenger Series. Alena Finished sixth in the 2017 NHK Trophy, earning personal best scores in the free skate and overall score. At the 2017 Skate America she finished in seventh place. Alena was not selected for a place on the Russian National Team.

### 2018–19 season

Alena was invited to the 2018 NHK Trophy after Elena Radionova withdrew due to injury. She finished seventh in the most competitive event of the Grand Prix season, achieving new personal bests in the short program and total score. At the 2019 Russian Championships, she placed twelfth.

### Skating style

Leonova is renowned for either superb technical ability, great style or artistic abilities, or noteworthy consistency, but she increasingly has gained recognition and praise for her unique choreography, on ice personality and delivery of her programs, and speed and attack. Her programs in the 2011 and 2012 seasons, done by renowned choreographer Nikolai Morozov, were noted for their creativity, rather bizarre and off beat quality, and complexity, and her delivery and commitment to them were praised. Early in her career she drew comparisons to former Russian great Irina Slutskaya due to her strong jumping ability and effervescent personality on the ice.

## Programs

| Season | Short program | Free skating | Exhibition |
| 2018–19 | Separation (Nocturne) by Mikhail Glinka | My Family is My Life... The Train (from The Legend of Zorro) by James Horner | |
| 2017–18 | Bla Bla Bla Cha Cha Cha by Petty Booka | Tune Maari Entriyaan (Bollywood Selection) | |
| 2016–17 | It's Oh So Quiet by Björk | The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi | |
| 2015–16 | Smile performed by Nat King Cole Overture - Unveiling the Statue (from City Lights) by Carl Davis Terry's Theme (from Limelight) by Charlie Chaplin choreo. by Olga Glinka | Summertime performed by Carmen McRae Jailhouse Rock by Elvis Presley In Other Words performed by April Stevens Sing, Sing, Sing (With a Swing) by Benny Goodman performed by The Andrews Sisters choreo. by Olga Kinnard, Michael Seibert | Hurt by Christina Aguilera |
| 2014–15 | Smile performed by Nat King Cole Overture - Unveiling the Statue by Carl Davis Terry's Theme by Charlie Chaplin choreo. by Olga Glinka | Asi se baila el Tango (from Take the Lead) Otono Porteno performed by Ensemble Nuevo Tango choreo. by Olga Glinka | Tanguera by Astor Piazolla |
| 2013–14 | Russian folk: Barynia Kalinka Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla Assassin's Tango (from Mr. & Mrs. Smith) by John Powell | Carmen by Rodion Shchedrin, Georges Bizet | |
| 2012–13 | Jai Ho! (You Are My Destiny) by Bond | Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber Requiem for a Tower (from Requiem for a Dream) by Clint Mansell performed by Escala Poeta en la mar by Vicente Amigo | |
| 2011–12 | Sirens by Harry Gregson-Williams Pirates of the Caribbean by Klaus Badelt, Hans Zimmer | Adagio for Strings by Samuel Barber Requiem for a Tower (from Requiem for a Dream) by Clint Mansell performed by Escala quartet | Your Heart Is As Black As Night by Melody Gardot Ostanus by Gorod 312 |
| 2010–11 | Polka (Circus) by Alfred Schnittke La Strada by Nino Rota | The Witches of Eastwick by John Williams | |
| 2009–10 | Barynya (Russian folk music) | Chicago by John Kander | |
| 2008–09 | Al Andaluz by Manolo Carrasco | La Leyenda del Beso by Raúl di Blasio | Ella, elle l'a by Kate Ryan |
| 2007–08 | Beethoven's Last Night by Trans-Siberian Orchestra | La Leyenda del Beso by Raúl di Blasio | |
| 2006–07 | Jewish Dance | Scorchio by Tonči Huljić performed by Bond | |

## Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix
International :
| Event | 06–07 | 07–08 | 08–09 | 09–10 | 10–11 | 11–12 | 12–13 | 13–14 | 14–15 | 15–16 | 16–17 | 17–18 | 18–19 |
| Olympics | | | | 9th | | | | | | | | | |
| Worlds | | | 7th | 13th | 4th | 2nd | 13th | | | | | | |
| Europeans | | | 4th | 7th | 5th | 7th | | 4th | | | | | |
| GP Final | | | | 6th | | 3rd | | | | | | | |
| GP Cup of China | | | 7th | | 3rd | | | | | | | | |
| GP NHK Trophy | | | | 2nd | | 3rd | | 7th | 2nd | 8th | WD | 6th | 7th |
| GP Rostelecom | | | 5th | 3rd | 9th | 2nd | 6th | | | | | | |
| GP Skate America | | | | | | | 7th | | | | | 7th | |
| GP Skate Canada | | | | | | 4th | | WD | 6th | 8th | | | |
| GP France | | | | | | | | | | | 12th | | |
| CS Finlandia | | | | | | | | | | | | 5th | |
| CS Golden Spin | | | | | | | | | | 4th | 3rd | | |
| CS Ice Challenge | | | | | | | | | 4th | | | | |
| CS Nebelhorn | | | | | | | | | 2nd | 2nd | | | |
| CS Ondrej Nepela | | | | | | | | | | | 6th | 5th | |
| Universiade | | | | | | | | | 1st | | 5th | | |
| Cup of Nice | | | 2nd | | 1st | | | | | 2nd | 4th | | |
| Finlandia Trophy | | | | 1st | | 3rd | | | | | | | |
| Merano Cup | | | | | | | | | | 1st | | | |
| International: Junior ||||||||||||||
| Event | 06–07 | 07–08 | 08–09 | 09–10 | 10–11 | 11–12 | 12–13 | 13–14 | 14–15 | 15–16 | 16–17 | 17–18 | 18–19 |
| Junior Worlds | 12th | 6th | 1st | | | | | | | | | | |
| JGP Croatia | | 5th | | | | | | | | | | | |
| JGP Romania | | 2nd | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cup of Nice | 1st J | 1st J | | | | | | | | | | | |
| National ||||||||||||||
| Russian Champ. | 7th | 7th | 5th | 2nd | 2nd | 3rd | 7th | 5th | 7th | 9th | 13th | 15th | 12th |
| Russian Junior | 2nd | 2nd | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Team events ||||||||||||||
| World Team Trophy | | | 5th T 6th P | | | 5th T 7th P | | | | | | | |
| Japan Open | | | | | | 2nd T 4th P | 3rd T 4th P | | | | | | |

## Detailed results

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships.
2018–19 season :
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 19–23 December 2018 | 2019 Russian Championships | 7 70.79 | 13 128.73 | 12 199.52 |
| 9–11 November 2018 | 2018 NHK Trophy | 6 68.22 | 7 125.93 | 7 194.15 |
| 2017–18 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 21–24 December 2017 | 2018 Russian Championships | 16 62.15 | 15 114.57 | 15 176.72 |
| 24–26 November 2017 | 2017 Skate America | 7 63.91 | 7 122.02 | 7 185.93 |
| 10–12 November 2017 | 2017 NHK Trophy | 7 63.61 | 5 127.34 | 6 190.95 |
| 6–8 October 2017 | 2017 CS Finlandia Trophy | 6 56.73 | 3 121.73 | 5 178.46 |
| 21–23 September 2017 | 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy | 5 54.70 | 5 115.98 | 5 170.68 |
| 2016–17 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 1–5 February 2017 | 2017 Winter Universiade | 6 54.69 | 4 116.37 | 5 171.06 |
| 20–26 December 2016 | 2017 Russian Championships | 11 60.60 | 13 114.07 | 13 174.67 |
| 7–10 December 2016 | 2016 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb | 3 64.18 | 2 127.21 | 3 191.39 |
| 11–13 November 2016 | 2016 Trophée de France | 7 63.87 | 12 77.49 | 12 141.36 |
| 19–23 October 2016 | 2016 Cup of Nice | 4 54.47 | 5 99.55 | 4 154.02 |
| 29 September – 1 October 2016 | 2016 CS Ondrej Nepela Memorial | 4 56.84 | 7 94.28 | 6 151.12 |
| 2015–16 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 16–20 February 2016 | 2015–16 Russian Cup – Final domestic competition | 2 64.78 | 1 126.56 | 1 191.34 |
| 24–27 December 2015 | 2016 Russian Championships | 7 66.15 | 9 124.17 | 9 190.32 |
| 2–5 December 2015 | 2015 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb | 2 58.86 | 4 114.38 | 4 173.24 |
| 27–29 November 2015 | 2015 NHK Trophy | 7 59.63 | 9 106.12 | 8 165.75 |
| 30 October – November 1, 2015 | 2015 Skate Canada | 10 52.08 | 8 108.29 | 8 160.37 |
| 14–18 October 2015 | 2015 International Cup of Nice | 1 68.52 | 2 110.07 | 2 178.59 |
| 24–26 September 2015 | 2015 CS Nebelhorn Trophy | 4 56.41 | 2 109.20 | 2 165.61 |
| 2014–15 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 4–8 February 2015 | 2015 Winter Universiade | 1 67.12 | 1 115.73 | 1 182.85 |
| 24–27 December 2014 | 2015 Russian Championships | 5 67.99 | 7 116.34 | 7 184.33 |
| 28–30 November 2014 | 2014 NHK Trophy | 2 68.11 | 3 118.29 | 2 186.40 |
| 14–16 November 2014 | 2014 CS Ice Challenge | 1 56.75 | 5 91.54 | 4 148.29 |
| 31 October – 2 November 2014 | 2014 Skate Canada | 3 62.54 | 6 101.61 | 6 164.15 |
| 25–27 September 2014 | 2014 CS Nebelhorn Trophy | 1 66.72 | 3 119.99 | 2 186.71 |
| 2013–14 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 15–19 January 2014 | 2014 European Championships | 4 64.09 | 5 114.06 | 4 178.15 |
| 24–26 December 2013 | 2014 Russian Championships | 4 67.03 | 7 120.45 | 5 187.48 |
| 8–10 November 2013 | 2013 NHK Trophy | 7 55.86 | 7 106.08 | 7 161.94 |
| 2012–13 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 10–17 March 2013 | 2013 World Championships | 13 56.30 | 14 102.76 | 13 159.06 |
| 25–28 December 2012 | 2013 Russian Championships | 6 59.64 | 8 110.00 | 7 169.64 |
| 9–11 November 2012 | 2012 Rostelecom Cup | 4 58.85 | 8 98.42 | 6 157.27 |
| 19–21 October 2012 | 2012 Skate America | 9 46.72 | 5 106.77 | 7 153.49 |
| 2011–12 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 18–22 April 2012 | 2012 World Team Trophy | 9 50.92 | 6 102.79 | 5T/7P 153.71 |
| 26 March – 1 April 2012 | 2012 World Championships | 1 64.61 | 4 119.67 | 2 184.28 |
| 23–29 January 2012 | 2012 European Championships | 7 54.50 | 6 104.28 | 7 158.78 |
| 25–29 December 2011 | 2012 Russian Championships | 5 59.95 | 3 118.20 | 3 178.15 |
| 8–11 December 2011 | 2011–12 Grand Prix Final | 3 60.46 | 4 115.96 | 3 176.42 |
| 25–27 November 2011 | 2011 Rostelecom Cup | 2 63.91 | 2 116.54 | 2 180.45 |
| 11–13 November 2011 | 2011 NHK Trophy | 2 61.76 | 4 108.92 | 3 170.68 |
| 27–30 October 2011 | 2011 Skate Canada | 7 49.75 | 4 102.47 | 4 152.22 |
| 2010–11 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 27 April – 1 May 2011 | 2011 World Championships | 5 59.75 | 4 124.17 | 4 183.92 |
| 24–30 January 2011 | 2011 European Championships | 13 48.40 | 3 105.91 | 5 154.31 |
| 26–29 December 2010 | 2011 Russian Championships | 3 60.14 | 2 127.54 | 2 187.68 |
| 18–21 November 2010 | 2010 Rostelecom Cup | 9 46.61 | 7 97.45 | 9 144.06 |
| 4–7 November 2010 | 2010 Cup of China | 5 50.79 | 3 97.82 | 3 148.61 |
| 13–17 October 2010 | 2010 Coupe de Nice | 1 55.52 | 1 111.18 | 1 166.70 |
| 7–10 October 2010 | 2010 Finlandia Trophy | 3 51.68 | 6 83.09 | 3 134.77 |
| 2009–10 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 22–28 March 2010 | 2010 World Championships | 14 54.36 | 14 98.50 | 13 152.86 |
| 14–27 February 2010 | 2010 Winter Olympics | 8 62.14 | 10 110.32 | 9 172.46 |
| 18–24 January 2010 | 2010 European Championships | 5 58.26 | 7 95.31 | 7 153.57 |
| 23–27 December 2009 | 2010 Russian Championships | 4 55.70 | 2 120.19 | 2 175.89 |
| 3–6 December 2009 | 2009–10 Grand Prix Final | 3 61.60 | 6 94.95 | 6 156.55 |
| 5–8 November 2009 | 2009 NHK Trophy | 5 52.34 | 1 108.51 | 2 160.85 |
| 22–25 October 2009 | 2009 Rostelecom Cup | 4 56.78 | 3 103.28 | 3 160.06 |
| 8–11 October 2009 | 2009 Finlandia Trophy | 1 56.24 | 1 105.93 | 1 162.17 |
| 2008–09 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 15–19 April 2009 | 2009 World Team Trophy | 6 54.72 | 5 106.68 | 5T/6P 161.40 |
| 23–29 March 2009 | 2009 World Championships | 11 58.18 | 6 110.73 | 7 168.91 |
| 23 February – 1 March 2009 | 2009 World Junior Championships | 3 55.50 | 2 101.68 | 1 157.18 |
| 20–25 January 2009 | 2009 European Championships | 11 45.08 | 4 98.91 | 4 143.99 |
| 24–28 December 2008 | 2009 Russian Championships | 3 | 6 | 5 143.49 |
| 20–23 November 2008 | 2008 Cup of Russia | 7 50.96 | 5 94.97 | 5 145.93 |
| 6–9 November 2008 | 2008 Cup of China | 8 44.04 | 7 93.23 | 7 137.27 |
| 15–19 October 2008 | 2008 Coupe de Nice | 4 43.40 | 2 84.01 | 2 127.41 |
| 2007–08 season |||||
| Date | Event | SP | FS | Total |
| 25 February – 2 March 2008 | 2008 World Junior Championships | 7 49.76 | 5 88.30 | 6 138.06 |
| 30 January – 2 February 2008 | 2008 Russian Junior Championships | 1 | 3 | 2 140.91 |
| 3–7 January 2008 | 2008 Russian Championships | 8 | 5 | 7 132.22 |
| 18–21 October 2007 | 2007 Coupe de Nice | 3 42.42 | 1 89.28 | 1 131.70 |
| 26–29 September 2007 | 2007 JGP Croatia | 10 37.05 | 4 81.03 | 5 118.08 |
| 6–9 September 2007 | 2007 JGP Romania | 5 39.64 | 1 86.86 | 2 126.50 |