Tutberidze

Tutberidze is a Russian figure skating coach whose group operates from the Sambo-70 sports club in Moscow. She has become one of the most influential figures in women’s skating, renowned for coaching a number of top competitors who have achieved Olympic and World Championship success.

Tutberidze gained international prominence in the 2010s by developing a cohort of skaters who excel in technical elements, particularly jumps. Notable students include Evgenia Medvedeva, Alina Zagitova, Alexandra Trusova, Anna Shcherbakova, and Kamila Valieva, all of whom have earned Olympic or World medals. Her teams are known for producing skaters who perform high-difficulty programs and set new technical standards.

Her coaching approach is associated with a jump-focused training philosophy, early specialization, and intensive technique work. Proponents credit it with raising Russia’s profile in women’s skating and enabling breakthroughs in difficulty, including the widespread adoption of quadruple jumps. The method has been influential in shaping contemporary practice and program design in the sport.

Tutberidze’s methods have sparked discussion about athlete welfare, workload, and injury risk. Critics raise concerns about long-term health and the demands placed on young skaters, while supporters argue that rigorous preparation has produced champions and advanced the technical standard of figure skating. The topic remains a point of reference in debates over best practices in elite skating coaching.