In 1996, Irina Slutskaya became the first Russian lady to win the European title and is the first lady in history to win 7 European titles (1996, 1997, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2005, 2006). She is also the first Russian lady skater to win a silver medal at the Olympic Winter Games. Slutskaya invented the double Biellmann-spin with foot change. At the 2000 Grand Prix Final in Lyon she became the first woman to land a triple Lutz-triple loop combination in competition and was awarded a 6.0 for technical merit. At Worlds 2001 she became the first woman to land a triple Lutz-triple loop-double toeloop combination. Slutskaya married Sergei Mikheev in August 1999. She was left off the National team for Europeans and Worlds in 1999 but came back strong the following year. Slutskaya missed the 2003 World Championships due to the severe illness of her mother. She was sidelined by illness (vasculitis) the whole 2003/2004 season except for Worlds. Slutskaya withdrew from the 2006 Nationals.