Figure skater Alena Kostornaya has opened up about Elena Buyanova’s reaction to her recent shift into double skating, now teamed with Georgy Kunitsa. Kostornaya explained that toward the end of October and into early November she indicated a likely stay in doubles, but she later realized it might not be pleasant for her to reveal this publicly. She recalled the moment vividly, noting that while jumping felt painful, paired elements did not cause the same issue. There was a sense that others might have believed she was being dishonest about her progress.
Kostornaya described spending two days a week at Elena Germanovna’s home as part of the onboarding process for the transition. She acknowledged her coach’s concern, recognizing the weight of expectations on an athlete moving between disciplines. The skater said she began to grasp the path ahead, understanding that the decision to pursue doubles would eventually shape her competitive career rather than simply be a temporary experiment.
On March 2 of the previous year, Kostornaya formally began training under Elena Buyanova. Before this change, she had been part of Eteri Tutberidze’s group, returning to that team briefly in 2021 after an earlier stint at the Plushenko Academy did not yield the desired results. This coaching shift marked a significant moment in her development as a skater, aligning her with Buyanova’s approach to technical execution and program structure. It also reflected a broader trend in Russian ladies skating where athletes explore different event formats and coaching methods to maximize their longevity and success on the international stage [Citation: Sports Express].
During the last season, Kostornaya managed to qualify for the Grand Prix Final, showcasing her continued competitiveness at the highest level. However, she faced a setback when a wrist fracture prevented her from participating in the Russian Championships, thereby missing the chance to compete in the 2022 Olympic Games in Beijing. The injury underscored the physical risks skaters encounter and the resilience required to return after a setback, a theme that many athletes in this sport have navigated in recent years [Citation: Sports Express].
In previous public comments, Kostornaya reflected on the rising attention surrounding her and her partner’s performances. She acknowledged that the growing interest in her skating and in the doubles pair with Kunitsa had brought new scrutiny and expectations. The dynamic of training under Buyanova and skating alongside Kunitsa has become a focal point in conversations about her career, illustrating how coaching changes, injury experiences, and program choices interact to shape an elite figure skater’s trajectory [Citation: Sports Express].