Melissa Gregory

{{Infobox figure skater

|name= Melissa Gregory

|image=2006 Skate America Ice Dancing Podium (cropped) - Melissa Gregory.jpg

|caption=Melissa Gregory at the 2006 Skate America

|country= United States

|birth_date= {{birth date and age|mf=yes|1981|5|22}}

|residence= Hartford, Connecticut

|height= {{height|m=1.64|abbr=on}}

|weight=

|partner= Denis Petukhov

|formerpartner=James Shuford

|formercoach=Shae-Lynn Bourne, Sandy Hess, Priscilla Hill, Natalia Linichuk, Gennadi Karpanosov, Nikolai Morozov

|skating club= SC of New York

|retired=

|dance score= 183.97

|dance date= 2005 4CC

|CD score= 38.02

|CD date= 2005 4CC

|OD score= 55.61

|OD date= 2006 Skate America

|FD score= 92.74

|FD date=2003 Skate America

|medaltemplates=

{{MedalCountry| the {{USA}}}}

}}

Melissa Gregory (born May 22, 1981) is an American former ice dancer. With partner and husband Denis Petukhov, she is the 2005 Four Continents silver medalist, a 2006 United States Olympic team member, and a four-time (2004–07) U.S. national silver medalist.

Personal life

Gregory was born in Highland Park, Illinois. Her father Joseph is Catholic and her mother Dale is Jewish. She has an older brother Michael.

Gregory and Petukhov met in August 2000, when he came to the United States in search of an ice dancing partner, with a list of several persons he planned to meet. Gregory was also seeking a partner then, prepared to give up skating if she could not find one. The couple found that they skated well together and began a new partnership.

They were married in Las Vegas, Nevada on February 2, 2001. The next month they flew to Kirov, Russia so that Petukhov's family could also celebrate their marriage. The couple's son, Daxton Dale Petukhov, was born on November 21, 2014.{{cite web|last1=Petukhov|first1=Denis|title=Meet Our Son|url=https://twitter.com/GregoryPetukhov/status/536331445749698560|website=Twitter|publisher=Twitter|accessdate=9 May 2015}} They welcomed their 2nd son Lennox William Petukhov on June 14, 2017.

Petukhov became a naturalized US citizen in 2005.

Career

Gregory began skating at age eight. She competed in novice ladies' singles before deciding to concentrate on ice dance.

Gregory was US junior ice dance champion in 1998 with James Shuford. After being without an ice dancing partner for nearly three years, she told her coach that she would quit skating and go to college if she could not find one by September 1, 2000. She met Russian ice dancer Denis Petukhov through on an online skating-partner search. He spoke little English and so had a friend write his messages for him. He arrived in the United States on a tourist visa on August 31, 2000 to try skating with her, and several other prospective partners. After skating with Gregory first, Petukhov canceled his other tryouts and never used his return plane ticket to Russia.

Gregory and Petukhov were originally coached by Oleg Epstein and Sandy Hess. In 2003 they changed to Nikolai Morozov and Shae-Lynn Bourne. Following the 2005–06 season, they switched again to Natalia Linichuk and Gennadi Karpanosov at the University of Delaware in Newark. On September 7, 2007, they announced another coaching change, this time to Priscilla Hill at The Pond Ice Arena, also in Newark.

Gregory and Petukhov won four silver medals and two bronze medals at the U.S. Championships and competed in the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Gregory and Petukhov both suffered injuries in a fall during the warmup before the free dance at 2007 Skate Canada International on November 4, 2007. Petukhov lost his footing while practicing a one-handed rotational lift and dropped Gregory onto the ice, injuring her ribs and hip. He skidded into the boards, hurting his knee and neck. Gregory was taken to a hospital following the fall but was released that night. They were forced to withdraw from competition for the rest of the season in order to heal from their injuries.

Gregory and Petukhov did not return to competition. In 2008, they moved to Connecticut and began coaching and choreographing for other skaters. They also founded a nonprofit organization Proud Nation Inc. They also launched their own YouTube channel, [https://www.youtube.com/user/OlympianUncut OlympianUncut], focusing on a behind-the-scenes look at the skating world.

Gregory and Petukhov are successful professional show skaters. They devote much of their time to EduSkating Fever on Ice, a program they founded in 2009 that combines learn-to-skate sessions with academics; it is intended for middle-school students in Connecticut. EduSkating Fever on Ice was one of two "Rings of Gold" award winners for 2010, and Gregory was the first skater to receive the individual award for her contribution to the program. In 2014 EduSkating was designated as an official Community Olympic Development Program of The US Olympic Committee.

In 2016, Gregory and Petukhov opened a seasonal, outdoor, luxury ice rink near The World Trade Center in New York City. It is named [http://www.gpice.com The Rink at Brookfield Place with Gregory & Petukhov]. They primarily coach in Newington, Connecticut, where their students include: Noemi Maria Tali / Noah Lafornara and Hana Maria Aboian / Daniil Veselukhin.{{cite web |title=Noemi Maria TALI / Noah LAFORNARA: 2024/2025 |website=International Skating Union |publisher=International Skating Union |access-date=31 May 2025}}{{cite web |title=Hana Maria ABOIAN / Daniil VESELUKHIN: 2024/2025 |website=International Skating Union |publisher=International Skating Union |access-date=31 May 2025}}

Programs

(with Petukhov)

Season ! Original dance ! Free dance ! Exhibition
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
2007–08 \| Lord of the Dance {{small\| (Irish Jig) }} \| Proud Nation {{small\| by Yoav Goren }} \|
2006–07 \| La cumparsita Tanguera \| Adam and Eve {{small\| by Yoav Goren (Preliator and Sarabande) }} \|
2005–06 \| {{small\|Cha Cha:}} Que Color {{small\|Rhumba:}} Beautiful Maria of My Soul {{small\| by the Mambo Kings }} Mambo \| Romeo and Juliet {{small\| by Prokofiev }} Art of War {{small\| by Vanessa-Mae }} \|
2004–05 \| {{small\|Charleston:}} Chicago {{small\|Slow foxtrot:}} Razzle Dazzle {{small\| from Chicago }} {{small\|Charleston:}} Chicago \| Shine on You Crazy Diamond Money {{small\| by Pink Floyd }} Sandstorm \|
2003–04 \| Rock Around the Clock Harlem Nocturne Great Balls of Fire \| Toccata Fugue Air on a G String \| God Bless America {{small\| by Celine Dion }}
2002–03 \| Polka {{small\| by Andre Kiew }} \| Snow {{small\| by Craig Armstrong }} \|

Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

= With Petukhov =

File:Gregory petukhov.jpg

style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=8 align=center \| International
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Event ! {{tooltip\|01–02\|2001–02}} ! 02–03 ! 03–04 ! 04–05 ! 05–06 ! 06–07 ! 07–08
align=left \| Olympics					14th
align=left \| Worlds			12th	11th	9th	10th
align=left \| Four Continents		6th	4th	bgcolor=silver \| 2nd
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Final						6th
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Bompard				4th
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Cup of China			4th
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Cup of Russia					4th
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} NHK Trophy				4th		bgcolor=cc9966 \| 3rd
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Skate America		5th	5th			bgcolor=silver \| 2nd
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Skate Canada		8th			bgcolor=cc9966 \| 3rd		WD
align=left \| Nebelhorn Trophy		bgcolor=silver \| 2nd
style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=8 align=center \| National
align=left \| U.S. Champ.	bgcolor=cc9966 \| 3rd	bgcolor=cc9966 \| 3rd	bgcolor=silver \| 2nd	bgcolor=silver \| 2nd	bgcolor=silver \| 2nd	bgcolor=silver \| 2nd
colspan=8 align=center \| WD = Withdrew

= With Shuford =

style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=5 align=center \| International
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Event ! 1995–96 ! 1996–97 ! 1997–98 ! 1998–99
align=left \| World Junior Champ.				10th
align=left \| {{small\|JGP}} China				bgcolor=silver \| 2nd
style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=5 align=center \| National
align=left \| U.S. Championships	8th J	bgcolor=d1c571 \| 4th J	bgcolor=gold \| 1st J
colspan=5 align=center \| J = Junior level

References

{{reflist|30em|refs=

{{cite web |url= http://figureskating.sportresult.com/Bios/USA/2016/0/51700/MEN/TO/355 |title= Melissa GREGORY / James SHUFORD |publisher= International Skating Union |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20170105202456/http://figureskating.sportresult.com/Bios/USA/2016/0/51700/MEN/TO/355 |archivedate= January 5, 2017 |url-status= dead |access-date= January 5, 2017 }}

{{cite web |url= http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00005975.htm |title= Competition Results: Melissa GREGORY / Denis PETUKHOV |publisher= International Skating Union |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20160310172121/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00005975.htm |archivedate= March 10, 2016 |url-status= live }}

{{cite web |url= http://www.icecalc.de/isu/bios/isufs00005975.htm |title= Melissa GREGORY / Denis PETUKHOV: 2002/2003 |publisher= International Skating Union |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20030609024453/http://www.icecalc.de/isu/bios/isufs00005975.htm |archivedate= June 9, 2003 |url-status= unfit }}

{{cite web |url= http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00005975.htm |title= Melissa GREGORY / Denis PETUKHOV: 2003/2004 |publisher= International Skating Union |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20040603031522/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00005975.htm |archivedate= June 3, 2004 |url-status= unfit }}

{{cite web |url= http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00005975.htm |title= Melissa GREGORY / Denis PETUKHOV: 2004/2005 |publisher= International Skating Union |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20050405213606/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00005975.htm |archivedate= April 5, 2005 |url-status= unfit }}

{{cite web |url= http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00005975.htm |title= Melissa GREGORY / Denis PETUKHOV: 2005/2006 |publisher= International Skating Union |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20060425180048/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00005975.htm |archivedate= April 25, 2006 |url-status= unfit }}

{{cite web |url= http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00005975.htm |title= Melissa GREGORY / Denis PETUKHOV: 2006/2007 |publisher= International Skating Union |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20070523053408/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00005975.htm |archivedate= May 23, 2007 |url-status= unfit }}

{{cite web |url= http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00005975.htm |title= Melissa GREGORY / Denis PETUKHOV: 2007/2008 |publisher= International Skating Union |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080526130757/http://www.isufs.org/bios/isufs00005975.htm |archivedate= May 26, 2008 |url-status= unfit }}

{{cite web |url= http://www.usfigureskating.org/AthletePairBio.asp?id=18220 |title= Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov |publisher= U.S. Figure Skating |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20080615221300/http://www.usfigureskating.org/AthletePairBio.asp?id=18220 |archivedate= June 15, 2008 |url-status= unfit }}

{{cite web |url= http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=38000&mode=P |title= Alternate link |publisher= IceNetwork.com |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20120415103604/http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/detail.jsp?id=38000&mode=P |archivedate= April 15, 2012 |url-status= unfit }}

{{cite web |url=http://www.usfigureskating.org/Story.asp?id=39892 |title=Melissa Gregory Expected to Make Full Recovery after Fall during Warm-up at Skate Canada |publisher=US Figure Skating Official Site |date=November 5, 2007 |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}

{{cite web |url=http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=40275 |title=Ice Dancing Team Gregory and Petukhov Withdraw from 2008 U.S. Figure Skating Championships |publisher=U.S. Figure Skating Official Site |date=January 11, 2008 |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305181624/http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=40275 |archivedate=March 5, 2012 }}

{{cite web |url=http://www.wnbc.com/olympics2006/6207733/detail.html |title= Figure Skating: Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov |publisher=WNBC |date=January 2006 |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}

{{cite web |url=http://marriage.about.com/od/unitedstatescouples/p/gregorypetuk.htm |title=Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov |publisher=About.com: Marriage |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928083141/http://marriage.about.com/od/unitedstatescouples/p/gregorypetuk.htm |archivedate=September 28, 2011 }}

{{cite web |url=http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090101&content_id=58066&vkey=ice_news |title=Gregory, Petukhov Hit the Road with Camera |publisher=icenetwork.com |date= January 1, 2009 |accessdate=January 4, 2011}}

{{cite news |url= http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110328&content_id=17156942&vkey=ice_news |title= Gregory, Petukhov hit the ice with Proud Nation |publisher= Icenetwork |date=March 28, 2011 }}

Skating Magazine, January 2006: "Team Destiny: Gregory, Petukhov Cherishing Life On, Off Ice"

{{cite web |url=http://www.usfigureskating.org/Story.asp?id=37 |title=Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov Switch Coaches |publisher=US Figure Skating Official Site |date=April 24, 2003 |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |archive-date=March 5, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120305181603/http://www.usfigureskating.org/Story.asp?id=37 |url-status=dead }}

{{cite web |url=http://www.usfigureskating.org/Story.asp?id=34619 |title= Ice Dancers Gregory and Petukhov Announce Coaching Change |publisher=US Figure Skating Official Site |date= May 31, 2006 |accessdate=January 4, 2011 }}

{{cite web |url=http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=39369 |title=Gregory and Petukhov Change Coaches |publisher=US Figure Skating Official Site |date=September 7, 2007 |accessdate=January 4, 2011 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515190653/http://www.usfigureskating.org/event_story.asp?id=39369 |archivedate=May 15, 2011 }}

{{cite web |url= http://www.usfigureskating.org/Story.asp?id=29035 |title= Denis Petukhov Becomes a United States Citizen |work= U.S. Figure Skating |date=February 23, 2005 |accessdate=January 4, 2011 }}

{{cite web |url= http://web.icenetwork.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071219&content_id=39798&vkey=ice_news |title= Gregory & Petukhov Combine Holiday Traditions |work= Ice Network |date= December 19, 2007 |accessdate= January 4, 2011 }}

{{cite news |url= http://www.skatetoday.com/2008/03/26/well-be-back-say-dancers/ |title= We’ll Be Back Say Dancers |last= Mittan |first= Barry |date= March 26, 2008 |publisher= SkateToday }}

{{cite news |url= http://ice-dance.com/articles/773-melissa-gregory-a-denis-petukhov |title= Melissa Gregory & Denis Petukhov |date= July 2002 |work= ice-dance.com |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071011032720/http://ice-dance.com/news/interviews/interview-07092002-gregory-petukhov.htm |archivedate= October 11, 2007 |url-status= dead }}

{{cite news |url= http://www.goldenskate.com/2002/11/internet-leads-to-skaters-love-match/ |title= Internet Leads to Skaters’ Love Match |first= Barry |last= Mittan |work= Golden Skate |date= November 25, 2002 |archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20061030205928/http://www.goldenskate.com/articles/2002/112502.shtml |archivedate= October 30, 2006 |url-status= live }}

{{cite news |url= http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2014/11/25/102421376/ |title= The Inside Edge: Ge enjoying surprising success |first= Sarah S. |last= Brannen |first2= Drew |last2= Meekins |work= IceNetwork.com |date= November 25, 2014 }}

{{cite news |url= http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2016/12/22/212024012/ |title= Gregory, Petukhov building new family traditions |first= Lois |last= Elfman |work= IceNetwork.com |date= December 22, 2016 }}

}}

External links

[https://web.archive.org/web/20070813021536/http://www.gregoryandpetukhov.com/ Official site]
{{isu name | id=00005975 | name=Melissa Gregory}}
[https://web.archive.org/web/20070930184933/http://www.usoc.org/26_42954.htm U.S. Olympic Team bio]

Category:1981 births

Category:American female ice dancers

Category:Figure skaters at the 2006 Winter Olympics

Category:Jewish American sportspeople

Category:Living people

Category:Olympic figure skaters for the United States

Category:Four Continents Figure Skating Championships medalists

Category:21st-century American Jews

Category:21st-century American sportswomen

style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=8 align=center \| International
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Event ! {{tooltip\|01–02\|2001–02}} ! 02–03 ! 03–04 ! 04–05 ! 05–06 ! 06–07 ! 07–08
align=left \| Olympics					14th
align=left \| Worlds			12th	11th	9th	10th
align=left \| Four Continents		6th	4th	bgcolor=silver \| 2nd
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Final						6th
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Bompard				4th
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Cup of China			4th
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Cup of Russia					4th
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} NHK Trophy				4th		bgcolor=cc9966 \| 3rd
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Skate America		5th	5th			bgcolor=silver \| 2nd
align=left \| {{small\|GP}} Skate Canada		8th			bgcolor=cc9966 \| 3rd		WD
align=left \| Nebelhorn Trophy		bgcolor=silver \| 2nd
style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=8 align=center \| National
align=left \| U.S. Champ.	bgcolor=cc9966 \| 3rd	bgcolor=cc9966 \| 3rd	bgcolor=silver \| 2nd	bgcolor=silver \| 2nd	bgcolor=silver \| 2nd	bgcolor=silver \| 2nd
colspan=8 align=center \| WD = Withdrew

style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=5 align=center \| International
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
Event ! 1995–96 ! 1996–97 ! 1997–98 ! 1998–99
align=left \| World Junior Champ.				10th
align=left \| {{small\|JGP}} China				bgcolor=silver \| 2nd
style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=5 align=center \| National
align=left \| U.S. Championships	8th J	bgcolor=d1c571 \| 4th J	bgcolor=gold \| 1st J
colspan=5 align=center \| J = Junior level