A well-known Russian figure skater, Alena Kostornaya, recently shared a vacation image on her social media profiles, where she is pictured with her husband, fellow skater Georgy Kunitsa. The post highlights a moment of personal balance alongside their professional lives on the ice.
Over the years Kostornaya has trained with several prominent coaches. She worked with Eteri Tutberidze until mid-2020, then transitioned to coach Evgeni Plushenko before returning to the Khrustalny camp in spring 2021 on a two-month probation. A year later, she left Tutberidze once more, this time joining Elena Buyanova to continue her development as a skater.
Early in 2023, Kostornaya’s former mentor shared news about the athlete’s move into paired skating. Since late 2022, she has been developing a partnership with Georgy Kunitsa under the guidance of coach Sergei Roslyakov. The collaboration marked a new chapter in her competitive path, expanding her focus beyond single skating to the dynamics of pairs on the ice.
The pair appeared together for the first time in September at the Russian national team’s test skates. They presented their inaugural free program to a soundtrack from the Hunger Games film and, in that event, finished in ninth place at the Russian Championships. Their early performances were watched by fans as they navigated the challenges and adjustments that come with a transition to doubles skating.
In related coverage from the figure skating community, Kostornaya’s public appearances and training updates often generate strong interest among fans and analysts who follow her career trajectory and the broader developments within Russian women’s skating. The focus remains on her effort to evolve as an athlete while balancing personal milestones and competitive commitments. The sport continues to follow Kostornaya as she explores new formats and seeks to maximize her potential on the ice, reflecting the ongoing evolution of elite figure skating in the region.