Oksana Baiul’s “devastating journey” through divorce is over, with the figure skating legend losing custody of her daughter.
The Olympic gold medallist finalized her split from Carlo Farina on Monday, with her estranged husband and former manager gaining primary custody of their 10-year-old daughter, Sophia, according to US Weekly.
“As I’m sure anyone who has ever been through a separation or divorce knows, it is a lengthy and often devastating journey,” Baiul posted to Facebook on Monday. “Divorce is hard enough, but when there is a child involved, they must be the priority.”
The post included a photo of herself hugging her daughter at an ice rink.
Baiul and Farina married in 2012 and welcomed their daughter in June 2015. As part of the divorce agreement, Farina will be permitted to relocate from Louisiana to Las Vegas with Sophia.
According to his LinkedIn profile, Farina is the founder of a private SFO management firm under his name and is the chief executive officer of the skating tour “Champions on Ice,” which has a residency in Las Vegas.
Divorce court claims
In Farina’s divorce filing, he claimed that he and Baiul separated in 2022, which she denied, saying the split happened in June 2025.
Farina also alleged that Baiul had been abusing alcohol to the “point of intoxication” and was a “compulsive liar,” US Weekly reported.
Baiul fired back, accusing Farina of harassment and manipulation while asking the judge for joint custody of their daughter.
The lengthy dispute reportedly was settled in October 2025, with neither party having to pay spousal support and Baiul not having to pay child support.
Anger management classes
People reported that Baiul agreed to enroll in anger management classes and will face alcohol and drug testing.
“Unfortunately, many divorces are tumultuous and painful, often leaving lingering feelings of hurt, resentment, and regret,” Baiul said in a follow-up Facebook post Wednesday night.
“As a mother I want nothing more than to protect my daughter from the negativity and speculation that often accompanies it. I can only act in her best interest and beseech you for the grace to move forward in a positive manner and the understanding that any choices I made were in her best interests at that moment in time.”
What has Baiul been doing?
At age 16, Baiul represented her native Ukraine at the 1994 Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, winning gold in the ladies’ singles skating program.
She announced In September that she was forced to sell her US$1.2-million mansion after failing to open a skating school in Shreveport, La.
“I can’t make a living in Shreveport. Unfortunately, I can’t,” Baiul posted on Facebook at the time. “I do love all the people here. I came for a reason, and it did not happen. I came here to create some things, but they did not come to fruition. I have to go where the ice exists.”