Australian Olympic figure skater Katia Alexandrovskaya dies at 20

Russian born Australian figure skater and 2018 Olympian Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya has died suddenly in Russia at only 20.

Australian Olympian Ekaterina “Katia” Alexandrovskaya has reportedly died in Russia.

The Russian born figure skater’s body was found near her house by Russian law enforcement, alongside a reported note which said: “I love”.

Investigators have ruled out suspicious circumstances, according to reports.

Alexandrovskaya combined with Sydney’s Harley Windsor in the pair figure skating with the duo winning the 2016-17 Junior World Figure Skating Championships.

It gave the team the platform to qualify for the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics where they finished 18th.

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Alexandrovskaya moved to Australia for the pair to skate together and became an Australian citizen in 2016.

The pair had high hopes for the future, including floating the potential of claiming a medal at the 2022 Games.

But earlier this year, the 20-year-old Alexandrovskaya retired from the sport after “health concerns”, which Windsor revealed on his Instagram page.

Windsor, who became Australia’s first Indigenous Winter Olympian at the Games, took to Instagram to share a moving tribute to his former partner.

“Words can not describe how I feel right now, I am devastated and sick to my core about the sad and sudden passing of Katia,” he wrote. “The amount we had achieved during our partnership is something I can never forget and will always hold close to my heart. This news is something you can never prepare for. Rest In Peace Katia.”

The pair didn’t meet until December 2015 when Windsor tried out with Alexandrovskaya in Moscow under the watch of Nina Mozer, who was the coach of 2014 Olympic champions Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov.

Within 10 months, they won the Junior World Championships and soon after qualified for the Olympics.

Since the 2018 Games, the pair both had injury issues before Alexandrovskaya’s retirement in February.

Five-time Australian figure skating men’s champion and 2018 Olympic teammate Brendan Kerry also posted on Instagram, simply writing “rest in peace Katia”.

Brendan Kerry's Instagram tribute for Katia.

Australia’s 2018 Olympic chef de mission Ian Chesterman said he death “is another blow to our winter sports community who is still reeling from our loss of Chumpy Pullin”.

“It is enormously sad to lose Katia, who was a vibrant and talented person and an incredible athlete,” he said in a statement released by the Australian Olympic Committee.

“She was quiet and humble in her manner but incredibly determined to be the best she could be.

“Katia was an important member of our Team in PyeongChang, who loved the opportunity to compete with Harley and embraced her time in the Australian Olympic Team.

“We are all deeply saddened to hear the news today. Life since the Games has not been easy for her and this is another timely reminder of just how fragile life is.”

Windsor and Alexandrovskaya in action.

Olympic Winter Institute of Australia CEO Geoff Lipshut said the pair achieved a lot in a short time and it was tragedy to hear of her passing.

“Katia and Harley were Australia’s first figure skating world champions,” Lipshut said. “She came to Australia to fulfill her sporting dreams.

“The news today is so sad, my thoughts are with Katia’s family in Russia, Harley and the skating community in Australia. I will remember Katia as a young person of great talent and remarkable potential.”

Russian two-time World Champion and Olympic silver medalist Evgenia Madvedeva posted a message in her Instragram Stories.

“We will miss you, baby. Condolences to the family.”

Such terrible news. RIP Katia...

— Julian Linden (@julianlinden) July 18, 2020

Just tragic. Feel for everyone who knew and loved her. Vale Katia.

— Nicole Jeffery (@nicolejeffery) July 18, 2020

So very, very sad to hear about the death of figure skater Katia Alexandrovskaya, who represented Australia at the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics with Harley Windsor. All my thoughts are with Harley and their families, the figure skating community and the winter team.

— Natalie Peters (@nataliejpeters) July 18, 2020

“The ISU is shocked by the news of Ekaterina’s passing,” said International Skating Union President Jan Dijkema in a statement on the organization’s website.

“She was a talented pair skater and the Figure Skating community will miss her. We offer our deepest sympathies to her family, friends and teammates and mourn this tragic loss.”

The news comes just over a week after Australian snowboarding champion Alex “Chumpy” Pullin died while spearfishing off the Gold Coast’s Palm Beach at age 32.

Hundreds of surfers paid tribute to Pullin with stunning scenes of tributes including a paddle out that included surfing champions Mick Fanning and Steph Gilmore.