Sergei Kulbach (24 November 1992 – 23 May 2023) was a Ukrainian pair skater. He won national titles with former partners Elizaveta Usmantseva and Natalja Zabijako. With Zabijako, he also competed at the 2011 World Championships, placing 16th.

Sergei Kulbach
Zabijako and Kulbach in 2011
Born(1992-11-24)24 November 1992
Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine
Died23 May 2023(2023-05-23) (aged 30)
Sisak, Croatia
Height1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Figure skating career
CountryUkraine
Began skating1996

Career

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From 2008 to 2009, Kulbach competed with Anna Khnychenkova for Ukraine.

In 2010, Kulbach teamed up with Natalja Zabijako to represent Estonia. After debuting at the 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy, the pair placed 13th at the 2011 European Championships and 16th at the 2011 World Championships. Zabijako injured her back as a result of a fall at the NRW Trophy in December 2011, preventing them from competing at the 2012 European Championships.[1] On 15 February 2012, it was reported that Zabijako and Kulbach had parted ways and he had returned to Ukraine.[1]

In 2012, Kulbach teamed up with Elizaveta Usmantseva to compete for Ukraine but their partnership was short-lived.[2]

Death

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Kulbach died on 23 May 2023 by fire accident in an apartment on Ivan Gundulića Street in Sisak, Croatia. On Wednesday, 24 May, the police officers of the Sisak-Moslavina Police Department, conducted an investigation, which determined that the fire was caused by the burning of the bed with the embers of a cigarette or a cigarette butt.[3]

Programs

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With Zabijako

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Zabiiako and Kulbach at the 2011 World Championships
Season Short program Free skating
2011–2012
[4]
  • Russian folk music
2010–2011
[5]
  • Middle Eastern composition
  • Tribute Nostalgia
  • Until the Last Moment
    by Yanni

With Khnychenkova

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Season Short program Free skating
2008–2009
[6]
  • Ukrainian folk music

Competitive highlights

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JGP: Junior Grand Prix

With Usmantseva for Ukraine

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International[7]
Event 2012–13
NRW Trophy 6th J.
Toruń Cup 3rd J.
National[7]
Ukrainian Championships 1st
J. = Junior level

With Zabijako for Estonia

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International[8]
Event 2010–11 2011–12
World Championships 16th
European Championships 13th
NRW Trophy 5th 3rd
International: Junior
JGP Estonia 4th
National
Estonian Championships 1st

With Khnychenkova for Ukraine

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International[9]
Event 2008–09
World Junior Championships 20th
JGP Czech Republic 14th
JGP United Kingdom 17th
National[9]
Ukrainian Championships 2nd

References

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  1. ^ a b Värv, Maarja (15 February 2012). "Eesti paarissõitjate teed läksid lahku" [Estonian pair skaters part ways]. Postimees (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 13 March 2012.
  2. ^ "Elizaveta USMANTSEVA / Sergei KULBACH: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 1 October 2013.
  3. ^ "SISAK : U požaru stana poginuo muškarac" (in Croatian). sisak.info. 24 May 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
  4. ^ "Natalja ZABIJAKO / Sergei KULBACH: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012.
  5. ^ "Natalja ZABIJAKO / Sergei KULBACH: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 25 January 2011.
  6. ^ "Anna KHNYCHENKOVA / Sergei KULBACH: 2008/2009". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 19 August 2009.
  7. ^ a b "Competition Results: Elizaveta USMANTSEVA / Sergei KULBACH". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 14 October 2013.
  8. ^ "Competition Results: Natalja ZABIJAKO / Sergei KULBACH". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012.
  9. ^ a b "Competition Results: Anna KHNYCHENKOVA / Sergei KULBACH". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 20 December 2013.
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