A recent court ruling has set an 18-year-old figure skater free from an agreement with the Israeli Ice Skating Federation that her attorney compared to being held "hostage."
A recent court ruling could pave the way for figure skater Andrea "Anya" Davidovich to skate for the U.S., according to her attorney. HACKENSACK — A recent court ruling has set an 18-year-old Olympic figure skater free from an agreement that, according to her attorney, held her career "hostage" and prevented her from skating for the United States.
Andrea "Anya" Davidovich, who along with her skating partner finished in 15th place at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi, first agreed to skate for the Israel Ice Skating Federation in 2012, when she was 15 years old, after entering into an agreement with its parent organization, the International Skating Union, according to the court ruling.
When her skating partnership with Evgeni Krasnopolski ended in April 2014, Davidovich, who holds dual citizenship to the U.S. and Israel, sought a release from the IISF so that she could compete internationally with the United States Figure Skating Association. According to the ruling, Boris Chait, president of the IISF, denied her request and refused to release her.
Davidovich's attorney, Stuart Slotnick, said his client was in an untenable position as the IISF wouldn't release her to skate for the U.S. but it also didn't want Davidovich skating for the Israeli team.
Effectively, he said, the IISF was holding her career "hostage" as "young ice skaters have a very short career life to compete in the highest levels."
Davidovich, a Livingston resident, filed suit in Bergen County Superior Court last September seeking a release from the IISF and damages for alleged "tortious interference with prospective economic advantage."
On Aug. 28, Judge Robert Wilson issued a summary judgment compelling the IISF to release Davidovich from the agreement. Wilson said certain elements of the IISF's provision with Davidovich were "impermissible" due in part to the waiving of various constitutional and statutory rights.
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Wilson, however, did not rule on whether the group interfered with her economic prospects. That issue has been remanded for trial.
"I am so grateful for the support of my family and attorneys, and, most importantly, the judge's decision which frees me to pursue skating for the USA," Davidovich said in a statement. "It would be the greatest honor to represent the U.S. in international competitions. I hope to put this unfortunate chapter of my life behind and focus on the future."
Attorney Brian Spector, who represented the IISF, declined comment.
Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
