Inside the Legendary Figure Skating Trio: Triumphs, Setbacks, and New Beginnings

Known for their unique strengths—Trusova's unmatched jumping skills, Kostornaia's elegant gliding, and Sherbakova's expressive artistry—this trio was destined to dominate the Olympic podium. Yet, the Beijing Games unfolded differently for each.

Since the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics, coach Eteri Tutberidze has been recognized as one of the world's top figure skating mentors. Though her protégé, 15-year-old Yulia Lipnitskaya, didn't clinch an individual gold then, she was hailed as a revelation. This marked the beginning of Tutberidze's athletes' dominance in Russian figure skating, spotlighting fierce rivalries between Evgenia Medvedeva and Alina Zagitova. Following their retirements, a new generation emerged under Tutberidze’s guidance: Alexandra Trusova, Alena Kostornaia, and Anna Sherbakova.

Initially celebrated as the nation’s top juniors, they continued to intimidate competitors at the senior level. Fans affectionately nicknamed them "TSK"—the first letters of their last names—and anticipated them sharing the Olympic podium in Beijing 2022. However, one did not make it to the Games, and the outcomes were unexpected for the others.

Today, despite their youth, none compete professionally. Here’s a look at their diverse paths beyond competitive skating, medals, and rivalries.

Alexandra Trusova

Alexandra Trusova's Beijing Olympics experience was emotionally challenging. Initially excluded from the team event, she secured silver in the individual competition despite executing five quadruple jumps in her free skate as planned. Mistakes in the short program prevented gold. A viral video showed her tearfully expressing frustration and a desire to quit skating.

After Beijing, Trusova took a break from competition but remained active in skating shows. Eventually, driven by unfulfilled ambitions, she resumed training under coach Svetlana Sokolovskaya, adapting to a gentler regimen due to a back injury. In 2022, she earned a bronze at the Grand Prix Russia’s Velvet Season in Sochi. Later, health issues led to withdrawals from competitions despite her social media showing regained quad jumps. While her competitive career paused, her personal life flourished.

In early 2024, Trusova began dating single skater Makar Ignatov. They married that summer and recently announced expecting a son. Though she still dreams of Olympic gold, she acknowledges that preparing for Milan 2026 is unlikely; her future depends on time and determination.

Alena Kostornaia

Unlike Trusova, Kostornaia missed the chance to compete at the Olympics due to a wrist injury months before the Games, preventing her participation even in national qualifiers. Kamila Valieva took the third team spot. Kostornaia later criticized coach Eteri Tutberidze for not preparing her optimally, prompting her move to Elena Buyanova’s group. She sat out the following season recovering from a hip injury and surgery.

Her Olympic ambitions remain, but Kostornaia pursued a new path. In early 2023, she partnered with Georgy Kunitsa, developing pair skating elements. They married in August 2023.

Though progress was steady, the pair unexpectedly announced a two-year competitive hiatus—a significant break in professional sports. Rumors of Kostornaia expecting a child circulated but were initially dismissed due to her active show skating. Later, she confirmed her pregnancy and looks forward to a gender reveal party. Her competitive fire remains, hopeful that her Olympic journey will continue—in pairs skating.

Anna Sherbakova

Anna Sherbakova was the only one to shed tears of joy, not disappointment, after Beijing 2022. Arriving post-illness yet in peak form, she executed two quadruple flips in her free skate, surpassing Trusova and all rivals to claim gold. Despite appearing stunned during scoring announcements—reflecting emotional exhaustion—she smiled on the podium. The Olympics marked her final competition, choosing to retire at her peak. Sherbakova now trains solely for shows.

She has also ventured into television hosting and may one day return to the Olympics as a coach. Having fulfilled her sporting dreams, she currently studies at the Russian State University of Physical Education, Sport, Youth, and Tourism.

Photos: Legion-Media.com, Persona Stars, Andrey Kalmykov/ZAMONA, Sergey Bobylev, Valentina Pevtsova, Sergey Bulkin, Alexander Shcherbak, Veronika Zorina/TASS, social media

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