Natalya Linichuk, the Olympic ice dancing champion who spent many years in the United States, spoke about how she felt the training environment for American skaters and even the discipline changes that came with it. The manager of the ice rink where she once worked shared this perspective during an interview with RT, highlighting Linichuk’s memories of coaching in the United States and her observations about the training culture that shaped many athletes over the years.
Linichuk recalled the studio routines she watched and participated in, noting how drills using the puck were a common thread in practice. She explained that those puck exercises helped coaches guide athletes toward the correct body position, fluid glide, and solid stance. In addition to the pucks, coaches frequently incorporated hula hoops as a tool to reinforce balance, flexibility, and the precise alignment required for competitive skating. These simple implements became part of a broader strategy to build the technical foundation that champions rely on when competing on the world stage.
According to Linichuk, a successful coaching approach in figure skating is not only about identifying a training line that suits each skater but also about managing a vast array of technical details that contribute to a champion pair. She described the process as a constant puzzle, where coaches must determine how to cultivate the ideal posture, optimize glide, and secure the appropriate stance while integrating the evolving demands of the sport. The aim, she said, is to cultivate a cohesive partnership on the ice, where timing, precision, and mutual understanding translate into competitive performance.
Linichuk emigrated to the United States in the 1990s, where she built a reputation as a prominent coach and mentor for many skaters who pursued success in international competitions. In recent times she made a decision to return to her homeland and continue her coaching career in Russia, bringing with her the experience and methods she developed abroad. The transition underscores the global exchange of coaching ideas across North America and Europe, and how such cross-pollination can influence coaching philosophies and training routines for skaters in different regions.
Alexander Goldin, once a hockey player, has become known among skating enthusiasts for his commitment to helping athletes manage their physical conditioning and technique. He emphasizes practical, attainable adjustments that help skaters trim excess weight and improve on-ice efficiency. Goldin’s approach focuses on sustainable routines and clear, measurable goals, which resonate with many coaches and skaters looking for tangible improvements in performance and overall athletic well-being. His work illustrates how disciplines from hockey and figure skating can intersect to support athletes in versatile ways, whether in Russia, the United States, or Canada where accessibility to high-level coaching has become increasingly important for athletes pursuing elite results.