Tatiana Volosozhar

Early years

Volosozhar began skating at the age of four. The instructors at her skating class were initially dismissive, saying she was overweight, but gave her three months and eventually agreed to keep her. At age 14, she switched from singles to pairs, to her father's dismay.

As a junior, Volosozhar skated for four years with Petr Kharchenko. They trained in Dnipropetrovsk in very poor conditions until they were able to move to Kyiv in 2003; Volosozhar was accompanied by her mother. Their coach in Kyiv was Galina Kukhar. The pair won several medals on the Junior Grand Prix circuit and were the Ukrainian national champions in 2004. That same season, they finished fifth at Junior Worlds and 14th at senior Worlds. They split at the end of the 2003–04 season.

Partnership with Morozov

Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov teamed up prior to the 2004–05 season and were coached by Galina Kukhar. In their first season together, they were silver medalists at the Winter Universiade and finished fifth at the European Championships. Volosozhar/Morozov began the 2005–06 season with a win at the 2005 Karl Schäfer Memorial and placed 12th at the 2006 Winter Olympics. In 2006–07, the pair finished fifth again at the European Championships and fourth at the World Championships.

During the 2007–08 season, Volosozhar/Morozov came close to winning a medal at the European Championships but placed ninth at the World Championships. At the end of the season, the pair changed coaches and began working with Ingo Steuer in Chemnitz, Germany. Conditions in Ukraine had steadily deteriorated until there was only one good rink, although Morozov said reaching it was not simple, "You can't get to the entrance; you need to jump over holes, it's like a precipice." After moving to train in Chemnitz, they won their first Grand Prix medals—silver at the 2008 Cup of China and bronze at the 2008 Cup of Russia—and qualified for the 2008–09 Grand Prix Final, where they placed fourth. They also placed fourth at the 2009 European Championships and were sixth at the 2009 World Championships.

In the 2009–10 season, Volosozhar/Morozov won a bronze medal at the 2009 Cup of China and silver at the 2009 Skate America. They again placed fourth at the European Championships and then came in eighth at the 2010 Winter Olympics. Morozov retired from competition before the 2010 World Championships. The pair performed in shows together in the spring of 2010.

Partnership with Trankov

Beginnings

Volosozhar decided to continue her competitive career. In March 2010, rumors emerged that she might team up with Maxim Trankov. Trankov later said that he had been interested in skating with Volosozhar since 2006.

The head of the Ukrainian trainers' council admitted there were no partners for her in the country who could compete at a high level, and on 14 May 2010, it was reported that Ukraine would not interfere with her decision to compete for Russia. Russian coach Ludmila Velikova confirmed that Russia had attempted years earlier to persuade Volosozhar to skate under its colors, however, the Ukrainian skating federation believed she would be successful with Stanislav Morozov.

Volosozhar left her previous training base in Germany to train in Moscow, beginning training with Trankov the week of 17 May. They are coached by Nina Mozer. Stanislav Morozov is their assistant coach, helping them with their elements. Igor Tchinaev was their short program choreographer, with Nikolai Morozov choreographing the long program. Nikolai Morozov also worked with them on their stroking to reduce energy loss. The pair had some differences in technique—Volosozhar had to change pace on the entry to the twist as well as adapt to a different hold during throw jumps, while Trankov had to adjust his jumps to match his new partner.

2010–2011 season

Volosozhar/Trankov initially performed in domestic Russian cup events and other tests. In late December 2010, they won gold at the 2011 Russian Championships, defeating Yuko Kavaguti / Alexander Smirnov, the reigning national champions and World bronze medalists.

Per ISU regulations, Volosozhar was barred from international competition for one year from her last event representing Ukraine, the 2010 Winter Olympics. As a result, the pair missed much of the 2010–11 season, including the Grand Prix series and the European Championships. She became eligible for international competition on 16 February 2011, in time for the Mont Blanc Trophy, where the pair competed to meet the ISU's minimum technical score requirements for the World Championships. They did so easily and won the event by a sizable margin. The pair decided to fly in early for the World Championships and landed in Tokyo three hours before the earthquake. The event was rescheduled and moved to Moscow.

At the 2011 World Championships, Volosozhar/Trankov placed third in the short program, second in the free skate, and won the silver medal behind 2009 champions Aliona Savchenko / Robin Szolkowy and ahead of the defending champions, Qing Pang / Jian Tong. It was the first World medal for both partners. The pair are one of few in modern times to reach the World podium in their first season together and in their first appearance at a major international event. Media coverage of the event noted their fast development and their potential for the future. Volosozhar said, "We didn't even think about the silver medal (before Worlds). We thought, maybe we can get the bronze. The result was completely unexpected for us. The most impressive moment of the championships was how enthusiastic the spectators were even before our short program, and I'll never forget how they gave us a standing ovation after the free program."

2011–2012 season

During the off-season, Volosozhar/Trankov performed in shows and prepared for the new season in Novogorsk, as well as a few weeks in New Jersey. In the summer, Trankov sustained a shoulder injury while skating on unsharpened blades since no one with the expertise was available at the time; As a result, they stopped working on lifts for a while.

Volosozhar/Trankov began the 2011–12 season with wins at their two September competitions, the 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy and the 2011 Ondrej Nepela Memorial. Trankov partly tore a groin tendon at the Nepela Memorial. On the Grand Prix series, the pair won Skate Canada with a combined score of 201.38 points and then won the 2011 Trophée Eric Bompard to qualify for the Grand Prix Final. Trankov's inguinal rings (groin) injury caused them to change a pair spin at the Grand Prix Final. Volosozhar/Trankov were the leaders after the short program but placed second to Savchenko/Szolkowy in the free skate and were awarded the silver medal – only 0.18 of a point separating the two teams at the end of the competition. At the post-event press conference, they said they would miss Russian Nationals to recover fully from their injuries.

At the 2012 European Championships, Volosozhar/Trankov placed first in both programs and won their first European title. They were eighth in the short program at the 2012 World Championships in Nice, France, after both fell on a death spiral. Trankov commented on the ice quality, saying "It is soft in some places, brittle in others. I guess it is ok if you skate right after ice resurfacing, but if you are the last one to skate in the second group, it is quite another story." Volosozhar/Trankov rebounded to place first in the free skate with a new personal best score of 140.90 in the segment. With a total score 0.11 points less than Savchenko/Szolkowy, they won their second World silver medal and received a small gold medal for the free skate.

2012–2013 season

In preparation for the 2012–13 season, the pair spent nearly three months in the U.S. in the summer of 2012 and then spent some time training in Italy. Volosozhar/Trankov won both of their Grand Prix assignments, the 2012 Skate America and the 2012 Cup of Russia, and qualified for the 2012–13 Grand Prix Final in Sochi, Russia. At the Final, they were first in the short program, second in the long program, and won the gold medal ahead of Russian teammates Vera Bazarova / Yuri Larionov. Volosozhar/Trankov then won their second national title, at the 2013 Russian Championships.

Trankov's father died of a sudden heart attack on 20 January 2013, a few days before the 2013 European Championships; an official confirmed the pair would compete at the event. They placed first in both programs and won the gold medal with a total score of 212.45—more than seven points ahead of silver medalists Aliona Savchenko / Robin Szolkowy. At the post-event press conference, Volosozhar said, "It is difficult to raise the mood at this time, but I am glad we made the decision to compete here." Volosozhar/Trankov spent some time training in West Orange, New Jersey just prior to the 2013 World Championships in London, Ontario. In March, the pair won their first World title, placing first in both programs and finishing 20.15 points overall ahead of Savchenko/Szolkowy. They set a new pairs' world record in the free skate and combined score (225.71 points) and became Russia's first pairs gold medalists since 2005 when Totmianina/Marinin won the World title. At their first team event, the 2013 World Team Trophy, Volosozhar/Trankov placed first in pairs and Team Russia finished fourth overall.

2013–2014 season

Volosozhar/Trankov were sent to the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi and assigned to the short program in the inaugural team event. The pair placed first in their segment and Team Russia went on to win the gold medal. Volosozhar/Trankov broke their world record again in the pairs skate, posting a score of 84.17 to come in first in the short program and placed first in the free skate with an overall score of 236.86 points, winning the gold medal by more than 18.18 points from silver medalists, teammates Ksenia Stolbova and Fedor Klimov. Volosozhar/Trankov received the Order "For Merit to the Fatherland" 4th class with Russian President Vladimir Putin handing the state awards.

2014–2015 season

For the 2014–2015 Grand Prix season, Volosozhar and Trankov were assigned to Skate America and Rostelecom Cup. However, the pair ultimately decided to withdraw due to Trankov's shoulder injury that will require a surgery. They decided to sit out the whole season for Trankov's surgery rehabilitation.

2015–2016 season

For the 2015–2016 Grand Prix season, after sitting out the previous season, Volosozhar and Trankov returned to competition at the 2015 Nebelhorn Trophy where they won the gold medal with a score of 202.79 points. They were assigned to the 2015 Trophée Éric Bompard and the 2015 NHK Trophy as their Grand Prix events. Volosozhar and Trankov were first in the short program at the Trophee Eric Bompard, a result that became final after the second day of the competition was cancelled in the wake of the November 2015 Paris attacks. They withdrew from the NHK Trophy after she suffered an injury in practice. Recovering from her injury, Volosozhar and Trankov decided to compete at the 2016 Russian Championships scheduled on 24–27 December in Ekaterinburg, Russia. They placed first in both the short program and free skate to win their third national title.

On 27–31 January, Volosozhar and Trankov competed at the 2016 European Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, took their fourth European title with a total of 222.66 points, outclassing the second-place finishers, Germans Aliona Savchenko and her new pairs partner Bruno Massot, by more than 22 points.

2016–2017 season

Volosozhar and Trankov decided to skip the season, and announced they were expecting a baby.

Television

She appeared in the seventh season of ice show contest Ice Age.

Personal life

Volosozhar was born in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukrainian SSR, to parents of Russian origin – her mother was born in Kaliningrad and her father in Nizhny Tagil. On 27 May 2021, Tatiana gave birth to their son, Fedor ('Theodore Maximovich').

Records and achievements

List of world record scores set by Volosozhar/Trankov

Programs

With Trankov

With Morozov

With Kharchenko

Competitive highlights

With Trankov for Russia

With Morozov for Ukraine

With Kharchenko for Ukraine

Detailed results

(Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships – Worlds, Europeans, and Junior Worlds. At team events, medals awarded for team results only.)

With Trankov

References

References

1. Гордиенко, Алеся. "Татьяна Волосожар и Максим Траньков: "Ждем сына!"".
2. "Tatiana Volosozhar's Instagram Announcement".
3. "Instagram Announcement".
4. (10 December 2016). "Progression of Historical Highest Score, Pairs, Total Score". International Skating Union.
5. (10 December 2016). "Progression of Historical Highest Score, Pairs, Short Program Score". International Skating Union.
6. (10 December 2016). "Progression of Historical Highest Score, Pairs, Free Skating Score". International Skating Union.
7. Skaters did not compete their free skating/free dance programs, as the second day of competition was cancelled due to the November 2015 Paris attacks.
8. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV: 2013/2014". International Skating Union.
9. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV: 2013/2014". International Skating Union.
10. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Petro KHARCHENKO: 2001/2002". International Skating Union.
11. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Petro KHARCHENKO: 2002/2003". International Skating Union.
12. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Petr KHARCHENKO: 2003/2004". International Skating Union.
13. "Competition Results: Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Stanislav MOROZOV". International Skating Union.
14. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Stanislav MOROZOV: 2004/2005". International Skating Union.
15. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Stanislav MOROZOV: 2005/2006". International Skating Union.
16. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Stanislav MOROZOV: 2006/2007". International Skating Union.
17. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Stanislav MOROZOV: 2007/2008". International Skating Union.
18. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Stanislav MOROZOV: 2008/2009". International Skating Union.
19. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Stanislav MOROZOV: 2009/2010". International Skating Union.
20. "Competition Results: Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV". International Skating Union.
21. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV: 2010/2011". International Skating Union.
22. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV: 2011/2012". International Skating Union.
23. "Tatiana VOLOSOZHAR / Maxim TRANKOV: 2012/2013". International Skating Union.
24. Flade, Tatjana. (18 August 2008). "Following change, Volosozhar and Morozov are poised to shine". GoldenSkate.com.
25. Golinsky, Reut. (2010). "Volosozhar/Morozov on and off the ice". AbsoluteSkating.com.
26. link. champion.com.ua. (23 March 2010)
27. link. Lubomir. Lukaniuk. segodnya.ua. (30 March 2010)
28. link. Lubomir. Lukaniuk. [[Segodnya]]. (8 October 2010)
29. link. Svetlana. Goncharuk. sport.ua. (18 April 2011)
30. Vaytsekhovskaya, Elena. (4 May 2011). "Translation". Figure Skating Translations.
31. link. Marina. Gubina. infox.ru. (8 June 2010)
32. link. Marina. Gubina. infox.ru. (14 May 2010)
33. Flade, Tatjana. (12 June 2011). "Volosozhar and Trankov: A perfect match". GoldenSkate.
34. Vaytsekhovskaya, Elena. (29 September 2010). "Translation". velena.ru.
35. link. Olga. Oksenich. sports.ru. (19 July 2011)
36. link. Ekaterina. Кonova. gzt.ru. (28 August 2010)
37. link. sports.ru. (5 January 2011)
38. Kondakova, Anna. (27 December 2010). "Volosozhar and Trankov take Russian National title". Golden Skate.
39. Kondakova, Anna. (26 December 2010). "Volosozhar and Trankov first after Short Program". Golden Skate.
40. link. Ekaterina. Кonova. vesti.ru. (2 December 2010)
41. Russell, Susan D.. (1 June 2011). "Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov Set to Shake Up the World". International Figure Skating.
42. "Mont Blanc Trophy".
43. Flade, Tatjana. (27 April 2011). "Pang and Tong lead pairs in Moscow". GoldenSkate.
44. Flade, Tatjana. (28 April 2011). "Savchenko and Szolkowy skate off with record and third World title". GoldenSkate.
45. Hersh, Philip. (27 April 2011). "After partner roulette, Russian pair has a shot at world title". [[Chicago Tribune]].
46. Ainsworth, Alexa. (4 May 2011). "Five takeaways from World Championships". UniversalSports.
47. link. sports.ru. (8 December 2010)
48. Flade, Tatjana. (16 September 2011). "Russian Skaters Preview New Programs". IFS Magazine.
49. Vernon, Nadin. (24 November 2011). "Free Dance with Russia's dream team: Tatiana Volosozhar and Maksim Trankov". Absolute Skating.
50. link. [[RIA Novosti]]. (5 December 2011)
51. Rutherford, Lynn. (10 December 2011). "Pairs come tantalizingly close to perfection: Savchenko and Szolkowy, Volosozhar and Trankov in class of their own". Ice Network.
52. link. Elena. Vaytsekhovskaya. [[Sport Express]]. (12 December 2011)
53. Bőd, Titanilla. (9 February 2012). "Tatiana Volosozhar & Maxim Trankov: "We didn't want to be European champions with bad skating."". Absolute Skating.
54. Jangbro, Eva Maria. (13 February 2012). "Art On Ice: A show that tickles the senses!". Absolute Skating.
55. Jangbro, Eva Maria. (13 February 2012). "Art On Ice: A show that tickles the senses! Act 2". Absolute Skating.
56. Vernon, Nadin. (13 February 2011). "Art on Ice 2011: A dream within a dream". Absolute Skating.
57. Kondakova, Anna. (28 March 2012). "Savchenko and Szolkowy land throw triple Axel; lead pairs in Nice". Golden Skate.
58. Kondakova, Anna. (30 March 2012). "Savchenko and Szolkowy capture fourth World title". Golden Skate.
59. link. Elena. Vaytsekhovskaya. [[Sport Express]]. (2 April 2012)
60. Flade, Tatjana. (10 October 2012). "Skaters Strut Their Stuff at Russian Test Event". IFS Magazine.
61. (21 January 2013). "Trankov to Skate Euros Despite Father's Death". rsport.ru.
62. Flade, Tatjana. (24 January 2013). "Volosozhar and Trankov overcome family tragedy to claim Pairs gold at Europeans". Golden Skate.
63. link. Olga. Verezemskaya. Moskovskiy Figurist. Federation of Figure Skating in Moscow. (6 November 2012)
64. link. Elena. Vaytsekhovskaya. [[Sport Express]]. (13 April 2013)
65. link. Olga. Ermolina. fsrussia.ru. Figure Skating Federation of Russia. (13 April 2013)
66. (24 February 2014). "Russia's Olympic athletes receive state awards". Itar-Tass.
67. (22 July 2014). "2014–15 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating – Pairs".
68. (1 October 2014). "Tatyana Volosozhar, Maksim Trankov to miss Grand Prix season". NBC Sports.
69. (7 February 2015). "Волосожар и Траньков! Помолвка состоялась!".
70. (21 April 2015). "Volosozhar/Trankov pianificano la data del ritorno in gara". Neveitalia.
71. International Figure Skating Magazine. (18 August 2015). "Congratulations to Tatiana Volosozhar and Maxim Trankov who were married today.".
72. (23 November 2015). "ISU Communication 1980 – Consequences of the cancellation of the Free Skating/Free Dance at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event, Trophée Eric Bompard 2015, Bordeaux France". [[International Skating Union]].
73. (20 November 2015). "Pitkeev leads after Rostelecom Cup short program".
74. Flade, Tatjana. (30 January 2016). "Volosozhar and Trankov golden in Bratislava". Golden Skate.
75. (31 January 2016). "Volosozhar, Trankov win pairs at Euro figure skating champs".
76. Филимонова, Екатерина. (21 September 2016). "Татьяна Волосожар и Максим Траньков: "Мы приготовили две детские — для мальчика и для девочки"". 7DAYS.RU.