Well-known producer and founder of Ice Age, Ilya Averbukh, gave a thoughtful interview to socialbites.ca in which he downplays any criticism of Alexander Zhulin’s latest project. He notes that Zhulin has brought together Russia’s strongest ice-dancing duets of the moment, including the recent transfers Alexandra Stepanova with Ivan Bukin, Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva with Yegor Bazin, and Victoria Sinitsina with Nikita Katsalapov. These pairs have been training under the renowned coach since the 2017/18 season and their collaboration is watched with keen interest by fans and analysts alike (Socialbites.ca).
Averbukh expresses a supportive stance toward Zhulin’s work while emphasizing a timeless truth in sport: athletes should not forget the value of their former mentors. He notes that transitions are an inevitable part of competitive ice dancing, but the bonds with former coaches remain meaningful. In his view, Khudaiberdieva and Bazin owe a debt of gratitude to Denis Samokhin, who played a pivotal role in shaping their ascent to national champions. Averbukh personally wishes all the athletes success in their new teams and acknowledges that they have linked up with an extraordinary coach who can guide their programs toward high performance (Socialbites.ca).
Beyond the sentiment of loyalty and mentorship, Averbukh stresses the practical side of high-level competition. He hopes for stability within the new configurations and for the skaters to develop a robust way to handle nerves and pressure. The current season has seen a challenging schedule, with tournaments presenting intense scrutiny and, at times, outright relegation challenges. His message is clear: athletes should be equipped with the mental and technical resilience to navigate a season that tests consistency and composure, while remaining focused on long-term growth and performance quality (Socialbites.ca).
Reflecting on past public perceptions, Averbukh reiterates that there was no financial compensation sought from audiences for medical expenses related to Roman Kostomarov. This clarification underscores his stance on professional conduct and accountability within the sport, emphasizing integrity in the face of rumors and controversy. His remarks contribute to a broader conversation about fairness, transparency, and the responsibilities of figures who operate at the intersection of competition, coaching, and public life (Socialbites.ca).