Justin Pekarek

Justin Pekarek (born August 26, 1981) is an American former competitive ice dancer. With Jamie Silverstein, he is the 2000 Four Continents bronze medalist and 1999 World Junior champion.

Justin Pekarek
Hilary Gibbons and Justin Pekarek performing with Act I of Boston
Personal information
Country representedUnited States
Born (1981-08-26) August 26, 1981
Valencia, California
Height1.75 m (5 ft 9 in)
Former partnerJamie Silverstein
Hilary Gibbons
Former coachIgor Shpilband
Elizabeth Coates

Personal life

Pekarek was born on August 26, 1981, in Valencia, California,[1] the son of a General Motors executive.[2] He and ice dancer Hilary Gibbons were married in January 2008, but had divorced by November 2016.[2] Their son, Cooper Joseph, was born on September 1, 2011.[3]

Pekarek has a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Massachusetts Lowell and worked in plastics design before switching to a career as a real estate broker.[2]

Career

Silverstein and Pekarek won the 1999 World Junior and U.S. Junior titles.[4][5]

The next season, Silverstein and Pekarek moved up to the senior level. They won gold at the 1999 Nebelhorn Trophy, silver at the 2000 U.S. Championships, and bronze at the 2000 Four Continents. They announced their split on January 10, 2001.[6]

Pekarek teamed up with Hilary Gibbons for several years. They won bronze at the 2003 Karl Schäfer Memorial.

Pekarek coached and competed with the Theatre on Ice team Act I of Boston at the Skating Club of Boston. He and Gibbons coached competitive ice dance teams to national titles at the juvenile, intermediate, and novice level. Pekarek retired from coaching in 2008.

Programs

(with Silverstein)

Season Original dance Free dance
1999–2000
[1]
  • I Like It Like That
  • Eres Todo en Mí
  • I Like It Like That
1998–99

    Competitive highlights

    GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Series / Junior Grand Prix

    With Gibbons
    International[7]
    Event 2002–03 2003–04
    Schäfer Memorial3rd
    National[7]
    U.S. Championships9th7th
    Midwestern Sectionals1st

    With Silverstein
    International[1]
    Event 95–96 96–97 97–98 98–99 99–00
    World Champ.12th
    Four Continents Champ.3rd
    GP Skate America5th
    GP Sparkassen Cup4th
    Nebelhorn Trophy1st
    International: Junior[1]
    World Junior Champ.10th1st
    JGP Final6th1st
    JGP Bulgaria2nd
    JGP France2nd
    JGP Germany3rd1st
    National[1]
    U.S. Championships1st N3rd J2nd J1st J2nd
    Levels: N = Novice; J = Junior

    References
    1. "Jamie SILVERSTEIN / Justin PEKAREK". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016.
    2. Elfman, Lois (November 23, 2016). "Pekarek continues to thrive in real estate career". IceNetwork.com.
    3. Brannen, Sarah S.; Meekins, Drew (September 8, 2011). "The Inside Edge: Catching Up with Emily Hughes". IceNetwork.com.
    4. "World Junior Figure Skating Championships: Ice Dance" (PDF). International Skating Union. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 4, 2013.
    5. "Silverstein and Pekarek continue winning ways". Associated Press. Canadian Online Explorer. February 14, 1999. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
    6. "Silverstein and Pekarek announce end to successful career". ABC Sports Online. ESPN. January 10, 2001. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008.
    7. "Hilary GIBBONS / Justin PEKAREK". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 30, 2016. Retrieved November 30, 2016.
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