“The season has already been tough in Russia”
How would you rate the first season in Russia without international competitions? Has the Russian Figure Skating Federation managed to replace international events on its own?
It was a tough season no matter how you slice it. The federation, coaches, and athletes all felt the strain. The organization team had to push hard because every event needed to be restructured to fit new circumstances. Still, the effort paid off. Competitions were held at a high level, and even the grassroots events for children matched the energy of the Grand Prix in many ways. Motivation was hard to come by for both skaters and coaches when tangible outcomes were out of reach, but overall the season stayed on course. It will be interesting to see what comes next.
Who opened the season for you?
I often noted that Grisha Fedorov opened the season for me. He emerged as the season’s standout, delivering a jump-focused performance that surprised many. By the season’s end, it felt clear he deserved that recognition.
And who stood out in a negative light?
Honestly, hardly anyone. Everyone found moments to shine—each athlete had a brilliant start that surprised audiences. Of course, not everyone could sustain that form throughout the year, but the season was filled with impressive beginnings.
With Olympic champions like Anna Shcherbakova missing the season and Alexandra Trusova dealing with an injury, is it worth expecting their returns on the ice?
The hope remains that they will summon the strength and motivation to prove themselves again. Brilliant skaters like them are missed and will be welcomed back when they return.
Shcherbakova also took on a hosting role in Ice Age this season. How did that transition go?
Not every topic hit the mark, but the debut showed notable value and potential for future seasons.
“He rode in Kostorna for a long time with Tutberidze, everything suited him”
Alena Kostornaya began pair skating after switching coaches. Her current mentor, Sergei Roslyakov, announced plans for Kostornaya and Georgy Kunitsa to try to reach the national team. How realistic is this?
There are paths in sport where late starts can still lead to major breakthroughs. The main thing is to outwork the competition and embrace a tougher training schedule. If the goal is to challenge the best, the effort must double. Alena is clearly a gifted athlete, and it remains to be seen how she translates that talent into the next season’s results.
In interviews, Kostornaya has criticized Tutberidze’s methods. Should this be read as personal resentment or a reflection of their joint work?
Commentary isn’t necessary. Kostornaya trained with Eteri Georgievna for a long period and achieved solid results. If a performer later feels underwhelmed, the cause often lies closer to home than elsewhere. The athlete should look inward to find the source of any shortfall.
The Kamila Valieva case continues to draw international scrutiny. What are the chances of Valieva avoiding removal by international bodies?
That remains uncertain and difficult to predict. It’s a complex matter with many moving parts, and guessing the outcome would be speculative.
What about Camila being given an Olympic-based program this season?
There’s a sense that the decision was deliberate, intended to spark debate and move the narrative forward. The outcome appears to have addressed the underlying concerns and allowed for a constructive discussion about choices and implications.
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva not only competed at a high level but also outpaced younger rivals this season. What is the secret to the skater’s longevity?
That question is best directed at Tuktamysheva and her coaching team. It seems her resilience comes from maturing in a calmer training environment, rather than chasing every new trend. We grew up alongside skaters who didn’t chase every element as aggressively, and that stability appears to have helped her sustain performance.
Did she hint at retirement or push for more quadruple jumps in the new season?
Whether she lands a quad again depends on ongoing training and readiness. A veteran coach can tailor a program as needed, and if the item is ready, it can be added.
Alexandra Stepanova recently gave birth yet remains active on the ice. What does a return look like after motherhood, especially with a coaching change to Alexander Zhulin?
Many athletes return successfully after childbirth. In Stepanova’s case, she has the support of a coach who has proven capable of rebuilding elite competitors. The path back is challenging but plausible, and watching her progress will be intriguing.
If Stepanova and Bukin come back to competition, could they become the top team for the national squad again?
There’s a strong possibility. Their trajectory suggests they could reclaim a leading role within the team.
“The lease is forgotten, but the place and the title remain”
Has international figure skating suffered without Russian athletes, especially in singles? Does the absence of Russian women performing quadruple jumps push the sport back years?
That impact is real. The field feels different without the level of competition Russian skaters bring. It echoes what the sport looked like when the country wasn’t present, yet the standard of skating remains high in Russia, and the absence is keenly felt.
Which foreign skater stood out most at the season’s end?
Luna Hendrix is a standout choice. She drew attention as a rising figure in a field without the usual heavyweight contenders.
Could the pressure of expectation affect her as the European Championship favorite, especially given the absence of Russians?
Pressure is part of the game, and for a young skater, it can be both a trial and a learning opportunity. Hendrix’s potential remains evident, and the experience will shape her going forward.
What about Anastasia Gubanova, who currently competes for Georgia? How is her development looking?
Her progress is clear to see, culminating in a European Championship victory. Despite some uncertainties and many “buts,” the overall trajectory is positive. The idea echoed by a famed coach about the lease being forgotten reminds us that the core place and prestige endure.
Ilya Malinin attempted a quad with notable risk, yet the result didn’t always clinch wins. What’s missing?
The answer often lies in a balance of factors beyond jumps alone. The sport demands glide, spins, and high-quality execution of complex elements, almost like a choreographed dance. Skaters sometimes fixate on the technical at the expense of other aspects. Experience and composure can also matter, and Malinin is widely regarded as a bright, rising force with a future worth watching.
Daniel Grassl’s unusual transition under Tutberidze drew attention. How should one assess this collaboration?
There isn’t enough time yet to judge the partnership fully. In the first season after a swap, the imprint of the previous coaching team remains visible. True evaluation will come in the next season as the current setup fully takes shape.
So what stood out as the brightest moment last season?
The international shows did not draw much attention here since the national team did not participate. Still, the show programs in Russia offered a fresh, educational wave for younger skaters. These exhibitions highlighted that performance on ice requires more than technical prowess; it demands emotion, storytelling, and the ability to connect with the audience. It was also a chance to witness skaters who had been away from competition for a while, letting them showcase the experience gained after their competitive years. The hope is that young skaters will become as emotionally expressive as legends like Evgeny Plushenko, while maintaining the technical standards that define Russian skating.