Italian figure skater Daniel Grassl opened up about his training under the guidance of renowned Russian coach Eteri Tutberidze and outlined his ambitions for the upcoming season. The interview, reported by spor.ru, sheds light on a period of intense preparation and renewed focus as Grassl looks to build on his recent results.
Grassl joined Tutberidze’s training group in January 2023, stepping into a high-intensity environment designed to refine elements, improve consistency, and accelerate performance on the world stage. The transition came as Grassl geared up for the European Championship 2023, a competition where he struggled to achieve his best and finished sixth. The new training milieu offered exposure to meticulous technique, demanding practice rhythms, and a relentless pursuit of precision that characterizes Tutberidze’s team.
“There is a very warm atmosphere on the ice, we train a lot, and I genuinely enjoy what we are doing. I can feel more strength and motivation every day, and that is exactly what I needed this season”, Grassl explained. He added that one recurring objective for the season is to perform at a higher level when competing alongside the group of skaters he trains with, a symbolic challenge he sets for himself as a benchmark for progress and consistency.
Attention turns to the World Figure Skating Championships, scheduled to take place in Japan from March 22 to 26. Within the Tutberidze family of skaters, coaches Maurice Kvitelashvili and Nika Egadze are among those working with Grassl and his teammates. The presence of Tutberidze and her coaching staff at major events underscores the collaboration and support structure that many athletes rely on when pursuing peak performances on the world stage.
Earlier reports highlighted Betina Popova, a former Universiade champion in ice dancing, as a voice of perspective across the coaching staff. Popova noted the importance of a unified support system for Grassl and Tutberidze’s other wards, emphasizing that the collective encouragement from coaches and colleagues can have a meaningful impact on an athlete’s mindset and readiness for high-stakes competition. Grassl’s association with the Russian coaching group continues to draw attention as observers weigh the benefits of diverse training environments for elite skaters aiming for podium results at the World Championships in Japan.