Alena Kuklycheva, a renowned costume designer in the figure skating world, announced on social networks that she has ended her collaboration with skater Alena Kostornaya. In her post, she shared a screenshot of the exchange with Kostornaya, which suggested that some costumes went unpaid by the athlete. The messages imply a clear disagreement over payments and the handling of clothing and belongings prepared for Kostornaya, with Kuklycheva stating that she will no longer work with the skater.
During the most recent Russian Championships held in Chelyabinsk, Kostornaya and her partner Georgy Kunitsa finished in ninth place in the pairs event, a result that drew attention amid a season of notable changes for the duo. The 2023/24 season marked Kostornaya and Kunitsa’s first full campaign competing in Russian events together, signaling a fresh phase in their competitive trajectory. In the Grand Prix stage in Omsk, the pair secured fourth place, while the competition was won by Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov, who topped the standings in that event.
Earlier in 2022, the international sports governance landscape shifted significantly when the International Olympic Committee urged global federations to bar Russian and Belarusian athletes from competition. As a result, the International Skating Union temporarily suspended athletes from those nations. The Beijing Olympic Games in February 2022 became the last major tournament for many Russian skaters that year, marking a turning point for the sport on the world stage. This broader context influenced not only individual careers but also the structure of international skating competitions and eligibility rules in the following seasons.
There have been public remarks about Kostornaya and Kunitsa’s progress as a pair, reflecting the ongoing discussion within the skating community about their development, training goals, and competitive results. The evolving dynamics between Kostornaya and Kunitsa have been a focal point for fans and analysts as they navigate the post-pandemic competitive landscape and the shifts imposed by international eligibility decisions. Beyond the rink, conversations about costume design, collaboration, and professional boundaries continue to influence the careers of skaters and their teams, underscoring the multifaceted nature of elite figure skating. [citation: ISU updates; IOC statements; Russian national results and Grand Prix outcomes.]