Beata Handra

Beata Handra (born January 3, 1977) is an American former competitive ice dancer. With partner and husband Charles Sinek, she is the 1999–2002 U.S. national pewter medalist and placed as high as fourth at the Four Continents Championships.

Beata Handra
Personal information
Country representedUnited States
Born (1977-01-03) January 3, 1977
San Francisco, California, United States
Height1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
PartnerCharles Sinek
Former coachInese Bucevica
Former choreographerInese Bucevica, Shanti Rushpaul
Skating clubSanta Rosa FSC
Former training locationsMonsey, New York
Began skating1983
Retired2002

Personal life

Handra'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

Handra 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 with Charles Sinek when she was 18 years old.[4] In 2000, Handra/Sinek were given their first Grand Prix assignment, 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 the 2002 Four Continents Championships where they placed a career-best fourth. They were also granted the United States' second spot to the 2002 Winter Olympics because two teams who ranked above them nationally—Tanith Belbin / Benjamin Agosto and Melissa Gregory / Denis Petukhov—were ineligible for the Olympics due to citizenship problems. Handra/Sinek placed 23rd at the Olympics.

Programs

(with Sinek)

Season Original dance Free dance
2001–2002
[2]
2000–2001
[6]
  • Happy Feet
    by Paolo Conte
  • Botch-A-Me
    by Luigi Astore, Riccardo Morbell, E. Stanley

Competitive highlights

(with Sinek)

International[2]
Event 96–97 97–98 98–99 99–00 00–01 01–02
Winter Olympics23rd
Four Continents5th6th4th
GP Skate America6th
GP Skate Canada7th
National[2]
U.S. Championships10th8th4th4th4th4th
GP = Grand Prix
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References
  1. Nii, Jenifer K. (February 15, 2002). "Dancers' path to S.L. winding, icy". Deseret News. Archived from the original on May 22, 2011.
  2. "Beata HANDRA / Charles SINEK: 2001/2002". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on August 10, 2002.
  3. Elfman, Lois (July 20, 2017). "Handra, Sinek reveling in being first-time parents". IceNetwork.com.
  4. Powers, John (January 16, 2001). "Dancers have taken the plunge". The Boston Globe. Archived from the original on October 20, 2012.
  5. "Handra and Sinek Announce Plans". Golden Skate. May 28, 2002.
  6. "Beata HANDRA / Charles SINEK: 2000/2001". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on July 17, 2001.
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