Beata Handra(born January 3, 1977) is an American former competitiveice dancer.With partner and husbandCharles Sinek,she is the 1999–2002U.S. nationalpewter medalist and placed as high as fourth at theFour Continents Championships.
| Beata Handra | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 3, 1977 San Francisco,California,United States |
| Height | 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) |
| Figure skating career | |
| Country | United States |
| Partner | Charles Sinek |
| Skating club | St. Moritz ISC |
| Began skating | 1983 |
| Retired | 2002 |
Personal life
editHandra's father is a refugee from the Hungarian revolution in 1956 and her mother is a concert pianist from Japan.[1]She attended the University of California at Berkeley before deciding to focus on skating. Handra and Sinek married in 1996.[2]Their son, Kai Bela Sinek, was born on May 11, 2017.[3]
Career
editHandra completed her senior test in 1991 with skating coaches Suzy Jackson and Paul Spruell when she lived in San Rafael, California. She skated as a solo dancer early in her career and came to the 1995 National Championships looking for a dance partner. Handra teamed up withCharles Sinekwhen she was 18 years old.[4]In 2000, Handra/Sinek were given their firstGrand Prixassignment, Skate America. Three weeks before the event, Sinek developed a staph infection after Handra accidentally cut his right shin in practice.[4]He recovered and they competed at the event, placing sixth.
In the 2001–02 season, Handra/Sinek missed their two Grand Prix assignments due to health issues—in August 2001, Sinek underwent knee surgery which resulted in a blood clot in his calf, and tore his meniscus a second time in September 2001.[5]
Handra/Sinek placed fourth at the 2002 U.S. Championships and were sent to the2002 Four Continents Championshipswhere they placed a career-best fourth. They were also granted the United States' second spot to the2002 Winter Olympicsbecause two teams who ranked above them nationally—Tanith Belbin/Benjamin AgostoandMelissa Gregory/Denis Petukhov—were ineligible for the Olympics due to citizenship problems. Handra/Sinek placed 23rd at the Olympics.
Programs
edit(with Sinek)
| Season | Original dance | Free dance |
|---|---|---|
| 2001–2002 [2] |
|
|
| 2000–2001 [6] |
|
|
Competitive highlights
edit(with Sinek)
| International[2] | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Event | 96–97 | 97–98 | 98–99 | 99–00 | 00–01 | 01–02 |
| Winter Olympics | 23rd | |||||
| Four Continents | 5th | 6th | 4th | |||
| GPSkate America | 6th | |||||
| GPSkate Canada | 7th | |||||
| National[2] | ||||||
| U.S. Championships | 10th | 8th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th |
| GP = Grand Prix | ||||||
References
edit- ^Nii, Jenifer K. (February 15, 2002)."Dancers' path to S.L. winding, icy".Deseret News.Archived fromthe originalon May 22, 2011.
- ^abcd"Beata HANDRA / Charles SINEK: 2001/2002".International Skating Union. Archived fromthe originalon August 10, 2002.
- ^Elfman, Lois (July 20, 2017)."Handra, Sinek reveling in being first-time parents".IceNetwork.com.
- ^abPowers, John (January 16, 2001)."Dancers have taken the plunge".The Boston Globe.Archivedfrom the original on October 20, 2012.
- ^"Handra and Sinek Announce Plans".Golden Skate.May 28, 2002.
- ^"Beata HANDRA / Charles SINEK: 2000/2001".International Skating Union. Archived fromthe originalon July 17, 2001.