Figure skaters Boikova and Kozlovsky left Moskvina for Tutberidze: in search of what is not there

Figure skating has already accustomed us to sensations of various kinds. Transfers of title athletes are always stories that are perceived painfully by all parties, no matter what they say. Caring fans – of course. Alexandra Boykova and Dmitry Kozlovsky announced their search for a new career.

Alexandra Boikova and Dmitry Kozlovsky left the school of the phenomenal trainer in world pair skating Tamara Nikolaevna Moskvina. We went to the school of another phenomenal coach, however, so far there is still more single skating – Eteri Tutberidze.

The message is: we need change to move forward. Such words could be heard more than once lately, most recently from Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin. The dancers have just changed (shockingly for many) the coaching group of Irina Zhuk and Alexander Svinin to the group of Alexander Zhulin.

The departure of the European champions Boikova and Kozlovsky from the group, in which Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov (world champions and Olympic medalists) had the leading positions at international tournaments, was quite expected. True, if I may say so, he was late: he could have been expected after the Olympic Games, missing out on the team tournament and personal fourth place. (The loss was followed by an emotional assessment of the refereeing.) The second in Beijing were Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov, who were trained by the coaching staff of Eteri Tutberidze, and the third were teammates Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov.

The present transition has been accomplished in a quite civilized manner. It takes place at the time indicated for the change of coaches, the transfer window is open. The acting president of the FFKKR, Anton Sikharulidze, is aware of the events and said that no one would object. Yes, both the outgoing and the remaining parties in a calm tone said everything they wanted.

Boikova and Kozlovsky say that they parted well with Tamara Nikolaevna, it could not be otherwise: seven years of work behind them, all the awards are due to Moskvina. The couple became European champions in 2020, twice became bronze medalists of the European Championships (2019, 2022), in 2021 – bronze medalists of the World Championship, twice won the Russian championship.

Tamara Moskvina also emphasizes: there are no offenses. And she clarifies: she is satisfied with what the past season showed – the couple was the strongest in the country, “they have both programs ready, demonstration, quad elements of ultra-c are ready.” They leave with this baggage.

The coach also speaks about the rivalry of the skaters in the group: the specialists at the school have always tried to maintain a competitive and friendly environment, which led the strongest couples training on the same ice to the main pedestals in their careers.

The most experienced coach has never hidden that she warns athletes: we work together until everything suits. If there are problems – all free people: “a bouquet of flowers, champagne, thank you.” Coach Artur Minchuk also thinks: if the couple decided to start a new path with other coaches, what kind of prohibitions could there be.

There are no bans, but questions can remain for the skaters. Competition at the Moskvina school is not going anywhere (Yasmina Kadyrova and Vitaly Kolesov are gaining momentum, they will rush forward and at the same time will not let Mishina and Gallyamov relax on the training ice, who will not lose vigilance, but will not turn on extra nervousness either).

Will Boikova and Kozlovsky be able to work without the usual competition with the best? Yes, Eteri Tutberidze has Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov. But whether they will remain in big sport is not yet clear. True, the Tutberidze school, after moving to the new Ice Palace, which is still under construction, will have a whole department of sports couples. There is no doubt that greenhouses will not be deprived of attention.

In the meantime, Maxim Trankov, who works with Tarasova and Morozov in the Tutberidze group, said that the transfer of Sasha and Dima did not come as a surprise to him, although there were no conversations with him. But all the details will be discussed at the training camp, now the coaching staff is on vacation.

Be that as it may, almost all interested parties announced the transition and explained their attitude towards it. Maybe Boikova and Kozlovsky are still tired of the constant competition on the ice. (Several experts speak about this at once. Both Tatyana Tarasova and Alexander Zhulin emphasize that it is useful, but difficult, to work in conditions of fierce competition.) Maybe they never forgave Moskvina for the appearance of Nastya and Sasha in the group. Nevertheless, a resounding note of resentment was introduced into the civilized parting. Dmitry’s mother wrote on social networks: “It’s a pity, but they didn’t have a choice. An important and very difficult decision! It is high time!”. Yes, the time is such that the mothers of athletes can expand the vector of discussion with one phrase.

Alexandra Boikova and Dmitry Kozlovsky are leaving the coaching staff that raised them, armed to the teeth with elements of ultra-si pair skating. But no one has any doubts that Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Gallyamov will improve the technique. And now at stake is not only the personal battle of the highest-level skaters, but also the battle of schools.