Passings

Elena Tcherkasskaia, who danced to the pinnacle of the ballet world as a member of the famed Bolshoi troupe and found similar success in her second career as a figure skating coach and choreographer, died in Moscow from complications of pancreatic cancer. Tcherkasskaia, who moved to Lake Arrowhead 10 years ago to teach ballet and coach, was 64.

The slender, graceful Russian worked with an impressive array of skaters. Among them were U.S. men’s champion Timothy Goebel, U.S. bronze medalist Angela Nikodinov of San Pedro, former world dance champions Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko of the former Soviet Union, and 1995 U.S. champion Nicole Bobek. She also worked with pairs skaters Tiffany and Johnnie Stiegler of Manhattan Beach.

She was especially close to Nikodinov, who two weeks ago described their relationship as more like a mother and daughter than coach and pupil. Tcherkasskaia’s influence was apparent in Nikodinov finishing third at the U.S. championships and fifth in the world last season. After returning from the Goodwill Games in Australia, Nikodinov said Tcherkasskaia complained of feeling ill. The funeral is scheduled for Wednesday in Moscow. A memorial service will be held in Lake Arrowhead at a date still to be determined.