Silver medalist at the 2002 Olympic Games, Ilya Averbukh, announced the start of his coaching career in an interview with socialbites.ca. He explained that he began pursuing active coaching for himself, partnering with Elena Maslennikova, a renowned choreographer who has co-authored Averbukh’s ice projects since 2006. Together they opened an ice dance school inspired by the skating rink associated with the Nina Mikhailovna Moser school. The project is actively recruiting junior ice dancers, and Averbukh plans to focus on coaching more seriously, a development he believes will be a revelation for many. He stressed that his ongoing projects and productions will remain unaffected; the school will not be supervised exclusively by him anymore, as Maslennikova will join in a full coaching capacity and the operation will stand on its own merits. Averbukh also shared which show he is currently developing.
Morning training begins at eight o clock sharp. He works as a coach from eight to ten in the morning before moving on to his other professional commitments. Coaching, of course, requires more than two hours a day, but for now this is the routine he has adopted.
Former skater Katarina Gerboldt, who competes in women’s singles, described Averbukh as versatile and highly ideational, predicting success for him as a coach. She noted that although his coaching experience is still developing, he and Irina Lobacheva have already opened a school and begun collaborating. Their efforts have produced a strong showing at the Ice Age competitions, reinforcing the perception that Averbukh is both adaptable and principled. Gerboldt added that the two-hour morning window is a starting point, and every coach sets his own pace for how quickly coaching skills mature.
Celebrity trainer Lyudmila Velikova called the news exciting. She commented that Averbukh is talented and that his two-hour daily training schedule could lead to substantial growth in coaching ability, singling him out as a rising figure in the field. Velikova also observed that his reputation as a choreographer will likely attract attention from athletes and fans alike.
Legendary coach Alexei Mishin admitted it was not easy to predict Averbukh’s managerial direction but recognized that he is facing a world-class professional. In another assessment, Honorary USSR coach Tatyana Tarasova expressed confidence that Averbukh would succeed in his coaching career, praising his talent and noting that he tends to do the right thing even when advice is not actively sought. Tarasova’s remarks appeared in a featured interview with Championship.
Averbukh is also seen as a potential partner for Olympic champion Alexander Zhulin. Analysts say that the combination of Averbukh’s choreographic strength and Zhulin’s technical expertise could create a powerful coaching team, provided there is a strong stage for athletes to perform. The consensus is that when Averbukh collaborates with skaters, the opportunity to showcase their talents is clear and meaningful.
Olympic champion Tatyana Navka offered support for Averbukh’s decision, telling reporters that competition remains the engine of progress. Renowned coach Inna Goncharenko echoed those sentiments, expressing belief in Averbukh’s potential for success if his passion and commitment to production remain high. She pointed to his track record of delivering engaging, well-executed programs with distinctive flair and noted that his experience organizing successful shows lays a strong foundation for his coaching work.