Tatjana Flade ©IFS, Author at International Figure Skating

Tamara Moskvina: A Lifetime of Achievements

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Sep 5, 2021

After coaching pairs teams to Olympic, World and European titles the past 50 years, Tamara Moskvina plans to change her career path in 2022.

Aliev Raising the Bar for Olympic Season

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jun 9, 2021

Dmitri Aliev, the 2020 European champion, plans to raise his game for the Olympic season and show the world what he is truly capable of.

Unprecedented Challenges for the ISU

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | May 22, 2021

The ISU and nations that hosted competitions overcame the unprecedented challenges that the Covid-19 pandemic created this season.

Benoît Richaud – A Creative Force

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Apr 10, 2021

Breaking into the top echelons of his craft was a challenge for French choreographer Benoît Richaud, but he won over a legion of fans with his innovative and original programs.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva Defying the Odds

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Mar 9, 2021

Marching to the beat of her own drum, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva has become the inspiration for many other mature female skaters around the globe.

Evgeni Plushenko FulFills Lifelong Dream

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Feb 24, 2021

Evgeni Plushenko is fulfilling his lifelong dream of developing a new generation of champions at his own skating school in Moscow.

Alexei Mishin – Age is Just a State of Mind

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Feb 11, 2021

Throughout his 60-year career, Alexei Mishin has coached numerous skaters to Olympic, World, European and national titles.

ISU Striving to Keep Figure Skating on Track

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Dec 8, 2020

ISU vice president Alexander Lakernik spoke about the difficulties of hosting competitions at this time and possible options going forward.

Season Opens on High Note for Kolyada

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Nov 9, 2020

Mikhail Kolyada on his costumes, programs and success at Stage III of the Russian Cup in Sochi and Ice Star in Minsk, Belarus a week later.

Sergei Voronov: I Would Not Change a Thing

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Oct 17, 2020

Russia’s Sergei Voronov announced his retirement from competitive skating in September. The 33-year-old leaves the sport with no regrets.

Boikova Kozlovskii: Fast Track to the Top

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Sep 27, 2020

Success often comes with longevity, but Russia’s Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kozlovskii climbed the global pairs ladder at a record pace.

Kolyada, Trusova Shine at 2020 Test Skates

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Sep 14, 2020

Mikhail Kolyada and Alexandra Trusova were the standouts at the 2020 Russian test skates, which took place in Moscow Sept. 12-13.

Maxim Naumov: Parental Inspiration

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jul 23, 2020

When Maxim Naumov arrived on the international junior stage in 2017, his name turned heads right away. His parents, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, are the 1994 World pairs champions.

Kamila Valieva: Art on Ice

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jul 15, 2020

Last season marked the arrival of Kamila Valieva, the fourth consecutive student of Eteri Tutberidze and her coaching team to rule the junior world.

Daniil Gleikhengauz Finds Success Behind the Boards

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jun 16, 2020

Russia’s Daniil Gleikhengauz had little success on the frozen stage, but he found his calling on the other side of the boards.

Yuma Kagiyama: Japan’s Rising Star

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jun 1, 2020

Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, the 2020 Youth Olympic Games champion, was one of the standouts on the international scene ilast season.  

Trusova Makes a Confident Decision

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | May 15, 2020

Alexandra Trusova’s decision to change coaches caught everyone by surprise, but the young Russian has no doubts she has chosen the right path.

Alena Kostornaia Shines in the Spotlight

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | May 8, 2020

Alena Kostornaia could not have written a better script for her debut on the senior circuit last season.

Drobiazko & Vanagas: Dancing Through the Decades

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Apr 5, 2020

When Margarita Drobiazko and Povilas Vanagas teamed up in 1989 it was all supposed to be temporary. In 2019, the couple celebrated three decades on the ice and their 19th wedding anniversary.

Kolyada Returns Healthy & Refreshed

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Mar 2, 2020

Just as the 2019-2020 season was starting, Russia’s Mikhail Kolyada started falling off the figure skating radar.

Han Yan Finds a Silver Lining

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Feb 13, 2020

Han Yan made a successful return to competition on home soil at 2019 Cup of China in November, and his momentum continues as he looks to Beijing 2022.

Daniil Samsonov: A Star on the Rise

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jan 29, 2020

Danill Samsonov, 14, will be vying for a top podium finish at the 2020 Russian Junior Championships, which take place in Saransk Feb 2-6.

Maria Petrova & Alexei Tikhonov: Still Skating After All These Years

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jan 5, 2020

The Russian pairs team of Maria Petrova and Alexei Tikhonov surpassed all expectations with their victory at the 2000 World Championships.

Zagitova to Sit Out Second Half of Season

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Dec 13, 2019

Reigning Olympic and World champion Alina Zagitova has decided to take a break from competing for the remainder of the season.

Alexei Yagudin: My Wonderful Life

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Nov 4, 2019

So much has changed in the life of Alexei Yagudin in the 17 years since the decorated champion mined Olympic gold on a magical night in Salt Lake City.

2019 Russian Test Skates Review

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Sep 17, 2019

The annual Russian test skates are always a much-anticipated event by fans around the globe. This...

Kolyada Will Debut New Short at Test Skates

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Sep 6, 2019

The annual Russian test skates for the national senior team take place in Moscow, Sept. 7-8.

Anjelika Krylova – Happy to be Home

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Sep 4, 2019

In 2018, Anjelika Krylova, a two-time World ice dance champion and the 1998 Olympic silver medalist with Oleg Ovsyannikov, returned to her Russian homeland after living and working in the U.S. the past 24 years.

Family Affair: The Velikov Pairs School

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Aug 15, 2019

Ludmila Velikova and Nikolai Velikov are fixtures in the world of pairs. Though they are not household names today, Ludmila and Nikolai were a force in the 1990s.

Jeremy Abbott Pursuing an Artistic Path

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jul 25, 2019

Four-time U.S. champion Jeremy Abbott talks about the ups and downs of his post-competitive life and what he is doing today.

Kolyada Motivated After Tough Season

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jul 3, 2019

Last season was a tough one for Russia’s Mikhail Kolyada with recurring health issues that plagued him for most of the 2018-2019 campaign.

International Pairs Seminar Develops Skills

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | May 5, 2019

The International Skating Union (ISU) is hosting its annual international pairs seminar in Novogorsk, Russia, this week, organized by esteemed Russian coach, Nina Mozer.

Hurtado-Khaliavin Dance Into History

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Feb 17, 2019

Sara Hurtado and Kirill Khaliavin made history when they won Spain’s first Grand Prix ice dance medal in 2018.

Maxim Kovtun: Unfinished Business

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jan 15, 2019

Maxim Kovtun has returned to competitive skating with a new mindset and a will to win.

Szolkowy Joins California Coaching Team

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jan 11, 2019

Robin Szolkowy will form a coaching alliance with Jenni Meno and Todd Sand at a new skating facility in Irvine, California.

Kolyada: New Season New Perspective

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Dec 28, 2018

With the experience of an Olympic Winter Games in his back pocket, this season is like a fresh start for Russia’s Mikhail Kolyada.

Volosozhar & Trankov: A New Life

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Sep 30, 2018

Four years after their Olympic triumph in Sochi, Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov of Russia have settled into a new life as parents and show performers.

2018 Russian Test Skates Review

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Sep 16, 2018

The nation’s top skaters presented their new programs at the 2018 Russian Test Skates in Moscow in early September.

Artur Danielian: Zero to Junior Hero

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Aug 6, 2018

Artur Danielian surprised everyone, including himself, with a silver medal finish at the 2018 World Junior Championships.

Jumping Juniors: NextGen Quads & Triple Axels

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jun 26, 2018

The quad trend has extended to the junior ranks – albeit at a much slower pace – but it picked up speed this past season with some of the junior ladies.

Tuktamysheva Figures It Out

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Oct 31, 2017

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva is focused on regaining the rhythm that took her to the top of the World in 2015.

Carolina Kostner: A Change of Edge

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Jul 10, 2017

Carolina Kostner is adding one final chapter to her long and distinguished career. The 30-year-old returned to the competitive arena in January, but the reason or her comeback has little to do with medals and titles.

Stepanova & Bukin: All Grown Up

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Feb 28, 2017

Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin have brought a new sophistication to their programs this season. The ice dance duo are ready to hit the World stage in Helsinki.

Zagitova, Aliev Capture Junior Titles

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Feb 6, 2017

Russia’s leading junior ladies and men laid down some inspiring performances at the junior national championships in St. Petersburg last week.

Mikhail Kolyada: An International Discovery

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Sep 15, 2016

Mikhail Kolyada’s father wanted him to go into wrestling but his mother put him into figure skates instead.

Anna Pogorilaya: Underrated & Understated

By Tatjana Flade ©IFS | Sep 10, 2016

In any other country, Anna Pogorilaya would be a national champion with skating star status.  But not so in her native Russia, where the competition in the ladies’ category is currently the toughest in the world.