Coach Eteri Tutberidze heads to a Grand Prix event in China with Alexandra Trusova

Kazakh sports outlet Sports.kz reported that Eteri Tutberidze, a Russian figure skating coach, has traveled with her pupil Alexandra Trusova to a Grand Prix (GP) Series event in China.

Tutberidze is a Russian figure skating coach who has coached Alina Zagitova, Evgenia Medvedeva, Anna Shcherbakova, Alexandra Trusova and Kamila Valieva.

Trusova is also a skater trained by Tutberidze. The report concerns the team's travel to the event in China, where the two traveled together, and does not include details of performances, placings or results.

The figure skating Grand Prix Series is a framework of consecutive international competitions in which skaters from various countries take part. Whether a skater can compete in each event of the series depends on factors such as the skater's affiliation and past results.

Tutberidze's coaching has drawn international debate, particularly after a moment at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics when she spoke sternly to Kamila Valieva after her free skate. IOC President Thomas Bach also criticized the scene.

In figure skating competitions, final placings are determined by the combined total of the short program and free skate scores. Coaches often travel with skaters to support their preparation and training, and such travel is considered part of competitive life.

The focus now is on what kind of performance Trusova will deliver at the event in China. Observers will watch how the travel of the coach and skater translates into results at the competition.