Sarah Abitbol (born 8 June 1975) is a French former competitive pair skater. With skating partner Stéphane Bernadis, she is the 2000 World bronze medalist, the 2000 Grand Prix Final silver medalist, a seven-time European medalist (two silver and five bronze medals), and a ten-time French national champion.
Early life and career Born in Nantes, France, Abitbol began skating at the age of six, choosing skating over swimming. She initially took lessons and practiced in that area. In 1992, at the age of 17, she teamed up with Stéphane Bernadis to compete in pair skating. Abitbol/Bernadis were coached by Jean-Roland Racle early in their career, followed by Stanislav Leonovich in Paris.
At the 2000 World Championships in Nice, France, Bernadis said he was attacked by an unknown assailant with a razor on 28 March when he opened his hotel room door. He suffered an eight-inch cut down his left forearm. Bernadis said he had received a death threat three weeks earlier. At the event, he and Abitbol won the bronze medal, becoming the first French pair skaters to win a World medal since 1932, when Andrée Brunet / Pierre Brunet won gold in this competition.
When Bernadis became injured after performing the short program, the pair had to withdraw from the 2001 World Championships. They qualified for the 2002 Olympics by winning the 2001 Golden Spin of Zagreb. Abitbol/Bernadis withdrew from the 2002 Olympics after Abitbol's Achilles tendon ruptured in practice; she underwent surgery and was off the ice for six months. After the 2003 European Championships, the pair changed coaches, moving to Jean-Christophe Simond.
Abitbol/Bernadis worked on throw triple Axels.
Personal life Abitbol married Jean-Louis Lacaille in 2009. Their daughter, Stella, was born in June 2011.
In January 2020, Abitbol published a memoir, Such A Long Silence (Un si long silence). In it, she accused her former singles coach Gilles Beyer of sexual assault, stating it began in 1990 when she was 15 and continued over a period of two years. This triggered a scandal that led to the resignation that year of FFSG president Didier Gailhaguet over his alleged covering up of past allegations against Beyer, in addition to cover ups of other cases.
While the assaults reported by Abitbol occurred outside the time limits of the statutes of limitations, Beyer was subsequently charged with sexual assault and harassment in cases relating to six other students who came forward with allegations of more recent events. In addition, Sports Minister Roxana Mărăcineanu ordered a broader investigation of the prevalence of sexual abuse in French sports culture. This concluded with reports of misconduct by more than 400 individuals.
Programs (with Bernadis)
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition 2002–2003 La Strada by Nino Rota The Addams Family by Marc Shaiman My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion 2001–2002 Can Can by Jacques Offenbach The Addams Family by Marc Shaiman
Ange et Démon (Angel And The Devil) by Maxime Rodriguez Schindler's List by John Williams
Egyptian 2000–2001 Ninja by Maxime Rodriguez Tristan & Iseult by Maxime Rodriguez Music by John Miles 1999–2000 El Conquistador by Maxime Rodriguez Ange et Démon (Angel And The Devil) by Maxime Rodriguez
La Sirène by Maxime Rodriguez The Mask of Zorro by James Horner 1998–1999 Acropolis by Yanni Music by John Miles 1997–1998 Ultra Techno by Kevin B Chariots of Fire by Vangelis Unchained Melody by The Righteous Brothers 1996–1997 Classical
Boléro by Maurice Ravel Hava Nagila Schindler's List by John Williams 1995–1996 Lo Sceicco Bianco by Nino Rota The Untouchables by Ennio Morricone 1994-1995 1492: Conquest of Paradise by Vangelis 1993-1994 Dancing Men Terminator by Kevin B Ben-Hur by Miklós Rózsa Who Wants to Live Forever by Queen
Results with Bernadis
GP: Champions Series / Grand Prix International Event 93–94 94–95 95–96 96–97 97–98 98–99 01–02 02–03 Winter Olympics 6th WD World Champ. 19th 9th 11th 7th 8th 5th 3rd WD 12th European Champ. 14th 15th 7th 3rd 4th 3rd 3rd 3rd 3rd 2nd 2nd Final 4th 2nd 5th 6th Cup of Russia 3rd Int. Paris / Troph. France/Lalique 7th 8th 6th 7th 4th 5th 1st 1st 4th 3rd 2nd Nations/Spark. 7th 9th 1st NHK Trophy 2nd 2nd Skate America 10th 6th 2nd Skate Canada 3rd 5th 3rd Golden Spin 1st Japan Open 2nd Nebelhorn Trophy 3rd Skate Israel 1st National French Champ. 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st
See also List of select Jewish figure skaters
References
External links
Official website of Abitbol / Bernadis