Suraikin began figure skating in 1957. His figure skating partner was Lyudmila Smirnova . The couple became the strongest competitor for the towering Irina Rodnina and Alexei Ulanov . Starting with their debut at world and European championships in 1970 up to and including 1972, Suraikin and Smirnowa finished all three world championships ( Ljubljana 1970 , Lyon 1971 , Calgary 1972 ) and all three European championships ( Leningrad 1970 , Zurich 1971 , Gothenburg 1972 ) in silver behind Rodnina and Ulanow. This ranking was also found at the 1972 Olympic Games in Sapporo . Suraikin ended his figure skating career in 1972 after Lyudmila Smirnova fell in love with Alexei Ulanov and from now on competed with him. He became a figure skating coach.