Irina Slutskaya has become pride of Russia becoming the first Russian woman to win the European Championships in 1996, followed by 4 more European Championship titles, a World Championship title and the Olympic Silver Medal in 2002. Since then Irina has suffered a serious heart condition, Vasculitis keeping her off the ice for over a year. She came back to win the 2005 World Championships in her home city of Moscow. Irina has been nominated as “Sportswoman of the Year” by the Woman’s Sports Foundation. She is a strong contender for Olympic gold at the 2006 Winter Olympics.
