Leading Russian ice dancers Ekaterina Bobrova and Dmitry Soloviev will soon adopt a new style after joining ex-Olympic medalist Alexander Zhulin’s coaching group, Zhulin told RIA Novosti on Wednesday.
Bobrova and Soloviev have won silver at each of the last two European championships, but believe they can reach new heights after joining Zhulin on Wednesday, the coach said.
“They reckoned that they needed to change something in their skating style, in how they look. And they made the decision to transfer to me,” he said.
The former world junior champion pair of Ksenia Monko and Kirill Khaliavin started working with Zhulin in February, and Bobrova and Soloviev will not receive preferential treatment, he said.
“I will absolutely divide my time equally. It’s my principle. I never try to isolate anyone and always try to work with everyone individually.”
Skating with Maya Usova, Zhulin won bronze at the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, before winning the silver medal in Lillehammer two years later.
As well as their European achievements, Bobrova and Soloviev have also been Russian champions for the last two seasons, and won the Cup of China in November.
