TOGETHER

Denis posted an advertisement on the International Skating Union partner search page stating that he was searching for a new partner. Denis and Melissa found each other, and after exchanging some e-mails, decided that they should try the partnership out. They tried some stroking and lifts, and immediately felt a special connection that went past the language barrier and different styles of dancing. Denis was to leave to go to a second tryout but when he got off the ice after his tryout with Melissa, he stated that he would not be going. His return ticket to Russia was never used. Gregory and Petukhov soon forged a relationship off the ice, and in February 2, 2001, they were married in Las Vegas. Later they flew to Russia so that Petukhov's family could celebrate their marriage, as well.
Their story has been published and featured in numerous media outlets like The Today Show, New York Times Front Page, Wall Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, New York Times Magazine, Sports Illustrated, and US Weekly just to name a few.
Petukhov became a U.S. citizen on February 22, 2005 with the help of Senator Lieberman’s office.
Melissa & Denis are World renowned, top-ranked figure skating athletes. Together they have an impressive resume of US National medals, International Event Championships, and top World rankings. They represented the United States in the 2006 Winter Olympics in Torino, Italy, and they have toured as Champions on Ice performers. They continue to perform in shows all over the world such as Champions on Ice, Art on Ice, and Scott Hamilton’s shows.
Melissa and Denis now reside in Hartford, CT where they started a Connecticut state granted program that fuses ice skating with academics all while promoting cultural diversity and reducing racial segregation among inner city school kids. This program received the Rings of Gold award from the US Olympic Committee in 2010 for community and youth development. 

Gregory and Petukhov choreograph the majority of their programs themselves and have also choreographed programs for other world level skaters such as Johnny Weir and Evgeny Plushenko. In 2010 Melissa and Denis produced and directed an entertainment ice show, “Proud Nation.” The event included local inner city and suburban kids, world and Olympic skaters, Cirque du Soleil performers, and MTV’s “America’s Best Dance Crew” dancers.