 Due to the depth of the Soviet ice dancing field, the duo decided to leave amateur competition for professional skating.In January 1990, Sur was taking part in a month-long Russian All-Stars skating tour in the U.S., headlined by Jayne Torvill and Christopher Dean, when he defected to the U.S., on January 24, 1990.He was joined by Elena Krikanova, Igor Shpilband, Veronica Pershina and a tour official.