2025-26 Coaching, Country and Discipline Changes

[CaroLiza_fan]

While checking things for an update to the Fan Fest for Elizabet Gervits (ISR), I found this post from about a month ago (she put it up after taking an extended break in Romania after winning the Bellu Memorial):



https://www.instagram.com/p/DV5bglbDPI7/

In some ways it sounds like a retirement announcement. But in other ways, it sounds like it is just the first part of a coaching change announcement.

She really leaves us guessing as to what her plans are now.

What we can take from it is that Elizabet Gervits (ISR) is no longer being coached by Julia Shapiro and Sergei Sheiko in Eilat.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Aleksandra Golovkina-Dolinskè (women's singles) is switching from Lithuania to Great Britain .

 

[Ivana]

Sophie Joline von Felten (USA, women) has switched from Boyko Aleksiev, Denis Petukhov, Melissa Gregory to Vladimir & Elena Petrenko.

International Skating Center of CT | ISCC on Instagram: "A NEW ERA BEGINS @ ISCC! ✨⛸️ For decades, ISCC has been home to some of the most legendary figure skaters—athletes who’ve shined on the world’s biggest stages. And now, we’re thrilled to conti

543 likes, 12 comments - isccskate on May 1, 2026: "A NEW ERA BEGINS @ ISCC! ✨⛸️ For decades, ISCC has been home to some of the most legendary figure skaters—athletes who’ve shined on the world’s biggest stages. And now, we’re thrilled to continue that tradition in a BIG way… Please join us in...

www.instagram.com

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Aleksandra Golovkina-Dolinskè (women's singles) is switching from Lithuania to Great Britain .

I posted my response to this development in the British & Irish thread at the time. However, I am currently working on updating Aleksandra's Fan Fest, and found that somebody has posted an AI translation on the Facebook version of her announcement:

From now on, I will no longer represent Lithuania — I am currently in the process of transferring to the United Kingdom federation.

For 22 years, I skated under the Lithuanian flag and was always very proud of it. I am sincerely sad that I will no longer represent my country.

I am very grateful for all the experience and opportunities I had while skating for Lithuania — it was a stage that gave me invaluable experience and left me with countless beautiful memories for life. Figure skating means a lot to me — it is my entire life and an inseparable part of my identity.

This change of country is a consequence of the situation that developed with the Lithuanian Skating Federation. My and the federation’s views on my future career diverged.

A year after achieving the highest result in European Championships ever recorded by a Lithuanian female singles skater, and while being a member of the national team and one of three candidates for Olympic qualification, in the summer of 2025 I received an email stating that my preparation would no longer be funded, allegedly due to a prolonged injury rehabilitation process.

I was never provided with predefined criteria based on which athletes are granted or denied funding.

The email was written in a polite tone, repeatedly stating that I was considered an important part of the national team and was not being abandoned. However, in that same email, the decision to terminate funding was explained by saying that it was important to send as many skaters as possible to the Olympic Games, and that priority during this important period would be given to other single skaters, the development of a pair, and the younger generation — who would receive the funding.

Meanwhile, I was simply thanked for my past contributions to Lithuanian figure skating.

At that time, my official ISU results (national records) were — and still are — the highest among Lithuanian female singles skaters.

I am very grateful for the significant financial support I received from the public through the GoFundMe platform — at that time it helped me stay in the sport. However, according to the federation, my appeal to the public was inappropriate and showed disrespect and ingratitude toward the federation, even though I did not mention how the decision was actually explained to me or refer to the federation at all.

Since then, I have experienced constant emotional pressure — including humiliating and disrespectful behavior and communication from the federation.

Although the decision to cut funding was not explained to me based on sporting principles, I accepted it calmly and found ways to continue my career by covering expenses myself. However, all my attempts to continue my career during this period were repeatedly hindered by the federation’s actions and communication, from which I clearly understood more than once that my career was considered to be ending and not worthy of further support — not only financially but also morally.

For a long time, I trained every day while constantly feeling that my work on the ice would not be the determining factor in decision-making, and realizing that my sporting career within this system no longer had a future.

Training and competing under such circumstances was psychologically difficult, because I knew my path in this sport was far from over, but constant emotional strain drained all my strength, energy, and love for what I do.

I always communicated with the federation respectfully — I understand that decisions were made according to its strategy and priorities. I value the entire period during which I worked with the Lithuanian Skating Federation and all the opportunities I was given.

Although the past few years have been difficult, I still have the motivation to continue my career because I love what I do. I know I am still improving as an athlete and have potential that I want to realize.

I am certain that all the challenges of this period have made me stronger both as an athlete and as a person.

I am very happy that this situation, which could have ended my sporting career, has actually opened new opportunities and doors to a new stage in my life, where I will be able to continue doing what I love most and pursue my sporting path.

I have been living, training, and working as a skating coach in Great Britain for almost 8 years. I am glad to have found the opportunity to continue my career in a country where I can grow as an athlete in a safe environment.

I love Lithuania very much, and although I will no longer skate under its flag, I will always remain a Lithuanian athlete who cares deeply about the future of Lithuanian figure skating.

In explaining my decision to change federations, I have shared only a small part of my story, but I believe it may contribute to the changes that Lithuanian skaters deserve.

Every athlete deserves to grow in an environment where they are respected and valued.

I wish all Lithuanian skaters the greatest success!

As this stage of my career comes to an end, I would sincerely like to thank all the coaches and specialists who worked with me and believed in me.

I would also like to express special and heartfelt thanks to the former long-time president of the Lithuanian Skating Federation, Lilija Vanagienė, with whom I went through many different stages over this long period — both beautiful and difficult. Her support over many years was very important in my sporting journey and significantly contributed to my ability to pursue the highest sporting goals. I am also extremely grateful for her moral support and belief in me in recent years — it helped me move forward and not give up.

I sincerely thank everyone who supports me — your belief in me gives me strength to keep going.

See you on the ice!

The statements made in this post are based on evidence I possess, including official communication

In a nutshell, the Lithuanian Fed told her last summer that she is at the end of her career, and so they won't give her any funding, instead concentrating on developing the younger skaters.

Aleks, meanwhile, feels that she's not finished yet. And consequently, after fighting with the Lithuanian Fed for this past season, is now switching to a country where she is appreciated.

Well, at least we now know what that was all about at Nationals, when she bowed to the audience and did a lap of honour instead of doing her FS programme. She wasn't having her swansong, or falling on her sword to give the younger girls a better shot at the slots. She was making a point to the Fed.

As a long-time fan, I am so glad that she has decided to not roll over, and is going to continue on.

But, it is such a shame that this sequence of events has happened at all. After everything Aleks has done over the years, and at a time when she was still scoring similarly to the younger girls, to treat her like this is a disgrace.

Don't worry, we'll welcome you and appreciate you!

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Arigato]

Yuma Kagiyama has ended his coaching relationship with Carolina Kostner.

鍵山優真、カロリナ・コストナー・コーチとの師弟関係は今季限り　指導に感謝「表現の意識変わった」 - フィギュアスケート専門情報サイトDeep Edge Plus　最新ニュース・充実のコラムをお届け

フィギュアスケート男子でミラノ・コルティナ冬季五輪銀メダルの鍵山優真（かぎやま・ゆうま）（オリエンタルバイオ・中京大）が９日、東京都内で取材に応じ、カロリナ・コストナー・コーチ（イタリア）との師弟関係を今季限りで終了し […]

deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp

 

[Ivana]

Yuma Kagiyama has ended his coaching relationship with Carolina Kostner.

鍵山優真、カロリナ・コストナー・コーチとの師弟関係は今季限り　指導に感謝「表現の意識変わった」 - フィギュアスケート専門情報サイトDeep Edge Plus　最新ニュース・充実のコラムをお届け

フィギュアスケート男子でミラノ・コルティナ冬季五輪銀メダルの鍵山優真（かぎやま・ゆうま）（オリエンタルバイオ・中京大）が９日、東京都内で取材に応じ、カロリナ・コストナー・コーチ（イタリア）との師弟関係を今季限りで終了し […]

deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp

Not surprising given many things and hints that happened during and since the Olympics. It'll be interesting to see whether he will seek someone else after his break or stay with his father only and what Carolina's next steps will be.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Not surprising given many things and hints that happened during and since the Olympics. It'll be interesting to see whether he will seek someone else after his break or stay with his father only and what Carolina's next steps will be.

What are the 'many things and hints'? Taking some time away with uncertainty regarding his future competitive plans makes sense that Yuma would end his coaching relationship with Carolina Kostner. Unless he is simply preparing to come back at a later date with an entirely different coach. Wishing Yuma well. I totally hope he finds new motivation and inspiration. He had very good programs this season, just with unexpected hiccoughs at times.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Kaia Kleven senior single skater for Norway is changing clubs to Follo and will be starting a slow transition into pairs skating. Very excited for this and hope she will have success and find herself a partner. Mark Magyar, former pair skater for Hungary is coach at the club for a while, on the 2nd slide there is a video of Kaia trying a throw with Mark and it´s looking pretty promising.

Kaia competed at the Winter University Games in Torino in 2025.

I hope she is able to find a partner. I don´t know if anybody remember, but I posted around 3 years ago that a skater named Sofie at the same club was trying out pairs as well with the help of Mark, and she was even at a pairs seminar in Bergamo. However nothing has come out of it yet, I don´t know if she wasn´t able to find a partner or if it was related to something else, she still did compete in singles until Nationals last season. Hopefully it won´t be the same issue for Kaia and she has a more successful transition.

 

[Ivana]

What are the 'many things and hints'? Taking some time away with uncertainty regarding his future competitive plans makes sense that Yuma would end his coaching relationship with Carolina Kostner.

Well the obvious giveways are that he is taking a break, plus she was already missing in Prague. Then there are the less obvious ones, as the season progressed her position within the hierarchy of his coaching team has shifted with his father clearly being the main coach again (hierachy at the boards, body language, etc.). Plus I can imagine that Carolina being "part of team Italy" at the Olympics while having her student compete for another team may not have been viewed in positive light. Basically, even if Yuma was not taking a break, I would not have been surprised by this announcement.

 

[BlissfulSynergy]

Well the obvious giveways are that he is taking a break, plus she was already missing in Prague. Then there are the less obvious ones, as the season progressed her position within the hierarchy of his coaching team has shifted with his father clearly being the main coach again (hierachy at the boards, body language, etc.). Plus I can imagine that Carolina being "part of team Italy" at the Olympics while having her student compete for another team may not have been viewed in positive light. Basically, even if Yuma was not taking a break, I would not have been surprised by this announcement.

Thanks for sharing. I didn't notice all the 'hierarchy' maneuvering at the boards. If that's part of the equation, to me the body language and 'by the boards' interactions re Carolina and Yuma's father, always seemed awkward. I also noticed what seemed to be tensions at times, but that's normal for the kiss 'n cry, especially when performances don't go well.

 

[cocteautwin]

Well the obvious giveways are that he is taking a break, plus she was already missing in Prague. Then there are the less obvious ones, as the season progressed her position within the hierarchy of his coaching team has shifted with his father clearly being the main coach again (hierachy at the boards, body language, etc.). Plus I can imagine that Carolina being "part of team Italy" at the Olympics while having her student compete for another team may not have been viewed in positive light. Basically, even if Yuma was not taking a break, I would not have been surprised by this announcement.

I don't see any grounds to draw conclusions about dissatisfaction with the cooperation, especially since Yuma clearly said otherwise in his message. It's been pretty clear that working with Carolina was part of his project to prepare for Milano olympics, she was never his major coach, rather additional consultant. In my understanding, her role was to help to develop a packaging for Yuma that can let him shine on italian olympic stage plus some mentoring based on her own long career experiences - how to prepore proper mindset for his competive goals.
I think that this arrangement was planned for a specific period of time, which has ended.
Let's not forget, Caro lives on another continent and working with her reqires complicated logistics so for sure it's an expensive project (you not only pay for working hours but also for travel expenses) and Yuma is taking a season off, which means he's no longer on the list of skaters receiving financial support from the federation.

 

[nguyhm]

I don't see any grounds to draw conclusions about dissatisfaction with the cooperation, especially since Yuma clearly said otherwise in his message. It's been pretty clear that working with Carolina was part of his project to prepare for Milano olympics, she was never his major coach, rather additional consultant. In my understanding, her role was to help to develop a packaging for Yuma that can let him shine on italian olympic stage plus some mentoring based on her own long career experiences - how to prepore proper mindset for his competive goals.
I think that this arrangement was planned for a specific period of time, which has ended.
Let's not forget, Caro lives on another continent and working with her reqires complicated logistics so for sure it's an expensive project (you not only pay for working hours but also for travel expenses) and Yuma is taking a season off, which means he's no longer on the list of skaters receiving financial support from the federation.

I watched a clip on YouTube featuring Yuma's experiences in Milan and Carolina was with him and his father. Yuma expressed his desires to explore the world (Italy) in his future. The clip shows Yuma and Carolina sharing some fun moments. It also includes some moments with his father participating. They seem to have a good time. I'm not sure when it took place although I assumed it was around the time of the Olympics. I'm saddened that Carolina is no longer part of Yuma's coaching team I think I could see her influences in his skating (the hand holds and expressions) so I hope that they will still be there when/if he returns. I hope there wasn't any animosities that result in them parting ways.

 

[4everchan]

well, let's not forget that yuma is taking a season off... he probably doesn't need Carolina for a while.

 

[norwegianfairytale]

Milla and Nikolaj are moving away from the current coaching team Rostislav Sinicyn & Natalia Karamysheva in Oberstdorf, but are not saying who the new coaches are or where they go - but they are going to a new training base.

It seems like Rostislav is slowly moving into retirement from their post, here is the text from those who can´t read it on Instagram:

"Dear Rostislav and Natalia

Thank you for everything you have taught us, both in ice dance and in life. Your passion, guidance, and belief in us have shaped us into the athletes and people we are today, and we would not be where we are without you

This has been an incredible journey, filled with hard work, growth, breakthroughs and unforgettable moments.

You are not like any other coaches, you are demanding when needed, full of character, and truly unique in the best way. That’s exactly what made this partnership so strong and meaningful.

After the Olympics, you made the decision to return home to Prague after the season and gradually take a step back from coaching full time. Even through this transition, you continued to support us and guide our future. With your encouragement, we are now moving to a new training base and beginning the next step of our journey.

You pushed us, believed in us, and helped us grow through every stage of this process. We will always be grateful for the energy and commitment you gave us every day.

We are endlessly grateful for everything you have done for us and we will always carry your lessons with us, both on and off the ice.

Thank you for everything. We love you"

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Milla and Nikolaj are moving away from the current coaching team Rostislav Sinicyn & Natalia Karamysheva in Oberstdorf, but are not saying who the new coaches are or where they go - but they are going to a new training base.

It seems like Rostislav is slowly moving into retirement from their post, here is the text from those who can´t read it on Instagram:

"Dear Rostislav and Natalia

Thank you for everything you have taught us, both in ice dance and in life. Your passion, guidance, and belief in us have shaped us into the athletes and people we are today, and we would not be where we are without you

This has been an incredible journey, filled with hard work, growth, breakthroughs and unforgettable moments.

You are not like any other coaches, you are demanding when needed, full of character, and truly unique in the best way. That’s exactly what made this partnership so strong and meaningful.

After the Olympics, you made the decision to return home to Prague after the season and gradually take a step back from coaching full time. Even through this transition, you continued to support us and guide our future. With your encouragement, we are now moving to a new training base and beginning the next step of our journey.

You pushed us, believed in us, and helped us grow through every stage of this process. We will always be grateful for the energy and commitment you gave us every day.

We are endlessly grateful for everything you have done for us and we will always carry your lessons with us, both on and off the ice.

Thank you for everything. We love you"

With Rostislav turning 71 later this year, and Natalia 67, their retirement from coaching is not entirely surprising and certainly well deserved. Their teams may not have always been at the very top internationally, but they all had a certain uniqueness that I appreciated.

It will be interesting to see where their few remaining teams end up - Finland? Italy? France? Somewhere else in Europe (Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany)? Or even outside of Europe?

 

[norwegianfairytale]

With Rostislav turning 71 later this year, and Natalia 67, their retirement from coaching is not entirely surprising and certainly well deserved. Their team may not have always been at the very top internationally, but they all had a certain uniqueness that I appreciated.

It will be interesting to see where their few remaining teams end up - Finland? Italy? France? Somewhere else in Europe (Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany)? Or even outside of Europe?

Yes I agree. And that also leaves question about Ben and Jenny retiring. They seemed to leave the door open a bit after Worlds, but I doubt it they will relocate and start over again this late in their career. Maybe he still will coach them half time for another season.

It also leaves the question about the younger teams, I really like Nikita and Lilia and wonder what they will do. If both Rostislav and Natalia retires there might be a new coaching team in Oberstdorf.

But Milla and Nikolaj are moving to a new training base according to their post. I hope it might be Finland.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

Milla and Nikolaj are moving away from the current coaching team Rostislav Sinicyn & Natalia Karamysheva in Oberstdorf, but are not saying who the new coaches are or where they go - but they are going to a new training base.

It seems like Rostislav is slowly moving into retirement from their post

With Rostislav turning 71 later this year, and Natalia 67, their retirement from coaching is not entirely surprising and certainly well deserved. Their team may not have always been at the very top internationally, but they all had a certain uniqueness that I appreciated.

It will be interesting to see where their few remaining teams end up - Finland? Italy? France? Somewhere else in Europe (Austria, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Germany)? Or even outside of Europe?

Just so long as none of them end up with a certain Czech coach who was based in Oberstdorf for many years.

Is Karel Fajfr still coaching, or have we finally managed to get him out of the sport?

Apart from the fact that he should have been banned for life for abusing his students, Fajfr is 82 now, so I would be surprised if he was still coaching. (That said, Moskvina and Mishin are older).

All the best to Rostislav and Natalia for their retirement. They deserve it, after giving so much to the sport for over half a century.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[elektra blue]

Milla and Nikolaj are moving away from the current coaching team Rostislav Sinicyn & Natalia Karamysheva in Oberstdorf, but are not saying who the new coaches are or where they go - but they are going to a new training base.

It seems like Rostislav is slowly moving into retirement from their post, here is the text from those who can´t read it on Instagram:

meybe they're going to move to Zanni?

 

[Weathergal]

meybe they're going to move to Zanni?

My guess was either Margaglio or Zanni

 

[norwegianfairytale]

meybe they're going to move to Zanni?

My guess was either Margaglio or Zanni

They are in the background of Filip T Instagram story today from the gym, so currently they are in Finland and unless they are trying out different locations it hopefully means they have moved training base to Finland and will train under Margaglio