The spring of 2022 turned Russian figure skating into a talking point worldwide as the transition of the European champion in women’s singles from Alena Kostornaya, once coached by Eteri Tutberidze, to CSKA and Elena Buyanova dominated conversations. This marked Kostornaya’s second move away from Krustalny after her 2020 attempt to train at Evgeni Plushenko’s academy, following Alexandra Trusova. Illness and injuries, however, hindered her progress, and after a period of underwhelming results she returned to Tutberidze’s group.
The collaboration with Buyanova began on a trial basis. Neither coach nor skater publicly declared a timeline for a permanent arrangement, yet Kostornaya trained under two programs at CSKA and continued to work with the team. By August 8, reports confirmed a steady, ongoing collaboration.
Buyanova emphasized continuity and reassurance, noting that athletes in similar situations are not abandoned and that the full coaching staff stays involved on the ice. The aim was to maintain regular training sessions as the arrangement matured, Buyanova told RIA Novosti.
In the same interview, Buyanova revealed that Kostornaya would soon undergo surgery to address an aging hip injury. The decision to operate had been delayed due to various uncontrollable factors, and the procedure was anticipated to proceed as planned to restore her competitive edge.
Buyanova explained that the hip issue was longstanding rather than a new injury, which explained Kostornaya’s recent period away from on-ice practice. She noted that the timing would affect the national team’s test skating schedule, adding that the skater would not be on the ice during the initial test sessions as recovery began. Kostornaya described a period of regular training at CSKA, followed by a pause from skating after a recent camp in Novogorsk. The operation was set for the day following the interview, with recovery extending into the latter half of September before potential test appearances.
The new and already staged programs impressed Buyanova, who described them as beautiful and engaging, with familiar storytelling and music that felt unlike anything previously heard. Kostornaya expressed optimism about the routines and hoped for a smooth recovery that would allow a strong comeback.
During a conversation with Match TV, Kostornaya spoke about her well-being, noting that the delay in surgery had been puzzling but that her current condition remained stable. She indicated that the hip issue was longstanding and anticipated that the operation would proceed soon, with timing depending on medical assessments and conditions. Buyanova added that the delay was partly due to a lack of necessary supplies, a detail not clarified by medical teams but acknowledged as a factor in the scheduling of the procedure.
Social media activity offered glimpses into Kostornaya’s rehabilitation journey. A late June post on her Telegram channel showed her skating with a blend of athletic drills and rotation, and in July she explored cross-training through wakeboarding. August brought photographs of yoga practice, and summer appearances with Evgeni Plushenko’s touring show added another layer of public interest. Fans noted the sudden shift in the athlete’s training focus as attention mounted on her upcoming surgery and recovery timeline.
Industry voices weighed in on the realities of injury in elite figure skating. Olympic champion Alexei Yagudin cautioned fans not to dwell on misfortune but to rally behind Kostornaya. He recalled the resilience of skaters who return from setbacks, pointing to famous comebacks such as Tatiana Totmianina after a serious fall at Skate America and Elena Berezhnaya after a craniotomy. Yagudin emphasized the fighting spirit common to Russian athletes and encouraged support for Kostornaya as she navigates this challenge. He also drew parallels to the broader history of injuries in the sport, noting the many surgeries undertaken by veterans like Evgeni Plushenko and the long road back for athletes who push through adversity. His message reminded fans that a setback can be a setup for a future return, especially in a discipline where timing and precision matter as much as willpower and grit, as reported by TASS.