[Lynda Dale MacLean](/columnists/Lynda+Dale+MacLean)  
2/3/2004

Skating on thin ice.

While watching Channel 5's 5:00 p.m. news, there was mention of a skater in trouble that would air in the next segment. The wheels in my head started spinning. I hadn't heard of anything earlier in the day about it. I was talking with my mum about it, and the two names that popped up were Tonya Harding or Oksana Baiul. Tonya, for obvious reasons and, Oksana, because of her own battle with alcohol after she was charged with drunk driving and crashing her vehicle back in 1997 in a suburb of Hartford, CT. After completing an alcohol education program, charges were dismissed. Recently, on TV, I saw Oksana perform in Smucker's Stars on Ice and it was wonderful to see her back! So pleased that we were about it not being Oksana, it left a bad taste in my mouth on whom it was about.  
  
34-year old Victor Petrenko, who won the men's figure skating Olympic gold medal in 1992, was charged with drunk driving. After an officer, Wednesday night, found his SUV crashed into a utility poll and fence, and Petrenko, alone inside of it. Petrenko complained of a minor injury, but declined treatment, police said.  
  
Petrenko told the officer that he had a glass of wine according to Simsbury Police Chief, Peter Ingvertsen. He also reported that the skater failed several field sobriety tests and refused to take a breathe test to measure his blood-alcohol level. He has the right to refuse a breath test, but his license automatically is suspended for at least six months, Ingvertsen added. Petrenko was released after paying a $250 bond, and will appear in court on February 9th.  
  
Petrenko's attorney, Reese Norris, who also represented Alexei Yagudin, said Petrenko was "certainly concerned" and also made note of this being Petrenko's first offense.  
  
Petrenko, who lives in Simsbury, CT, trains at the Connecticut International Skating Center in Newington, where Alexei Yagudin, a 2002 Olympic gold metal champion trains, and who was arrested in August for drunk driving in nearby Avon, and recently placed in an alcohol education program.  
  
I just cannot fathom when people get inside their cars after drinking and think they are invincible against the world. It doesn't matter how famous you are, if you drink and drive you're facing the hand of death, or worse yet, pointing in the direction of innocents.  
  
Victor Petrenko is one of my favorite skaters, and has been for years. He's an amazing athlete and performer, who just charms him way on the ice, and exudes sexuality and strength.  
  
I'm very disappointed to hear the news about his drunken state and the effects it will have on him because of his irresponsibility. It really is quite a pity and a dreadful shame.  
  
So this being his first offense, will Petrenko score high with the judge, and be able to admit himself into a treatment center and perhaps have his record dismissed as well? I don't know, but what I question is how many first offenses, in something as serious as driving while intoxicated, do we need? I also believe in therapy, and feel people do deserve a second chance, but this is such an old story that has been beaten to death so many times and, yet, it still doesn't get through; never drink and drive.  
  
So, the news is not that great right now for Petrenko, but at least he can rest knowing that nobody else was hurt, or worse, killed from his actions. I do wish him well and hope this is a well-learned lesson.