Members of Russia Today filming team , Anastasiia, and her students Photo provided to Hangzhoufeel
Experiencer
By Anastasiia Kutsenko
The documentary film by Russia Today, China to Russia: Ice Tales, screened at the Shanghai International Film Festival this week, is about my Russian-Chinese sports cooperation project, which we launched in Dec 2023 in Hangzhou.
The film tells the story of my Chinese athletes and their parents, who placed their full trust in me and my fellow coaches from Russia to guide their training.
But for me, this film is not just about figure skating--it’s about the personal journey of each and every person who took part in this project. All the families visited Russia with me for the first time last year. One family even decided to move to Moscow after the filming to stay and continue training in figure skating.
My skater Nancy fell in love with the Russian language and is now actively studying it. Over the past year and a half, the children have experienced tremendous cultural, personal, and athletic growth, achieving remarkable results.
Figure skating has become a bridge of friendship and personal growth for all of us. I am deeply grateful to both the Chinese and Russian sides, and to all the participants in the project, for this incredible experience.
This summer, I am returning to Russia to develop professional-level figure skating and hockey in the Republic of Altai--a region full of spirit and unique energy. Many sports schools in Russia’s remote regions need greater attention and care. That’s what I now plan to focus on--to give local children in Altai the opportunity to practice figure skating and hockey at a professional level.
Over the past two years, I’ve developed a passion for horseback riding. I plan to combine life in Altai and training with my athletes both on ice and on horseback, as well as with hikes in the mountains. It is in this harmony with nature that true champions are nurtured.
That’s why I’ll be launching my next project--“The Base: Balance of Body, Mind, and Spirit” --at the end of August in the city of Gorno-Altaysk at the Atlant Academy.
It has always been my dream to shape people who are strong both physically and spiritually--and I believe I’m doing a good job of that. I also want to continue making documentary films about ordinary people who pursue their dreams while overcoming various challenges.
I’m not abandoning my Russian-Chinese cooperation project started in Hangzhou. I stay in close contact with my Chinese athletes. Whenever possible, we plan to return for masterclasses and welcome them to sports training camps in Russia.
I believe that sports cooperation between our two countries can help each side complement what the other lacks. From our side, we share Russian’s high-quality education with China. In return, China supports us with sports equipment and infrastructure.