Kristina Kutepova, a figure skating coach who immigrated from Russia to the United States, has quickly become a prominent figure at the Nazareth Ice Oasis in San Mateo. With over a decade of coaching experience in Russia, Kristina initially worked as an assistant coach in the U.S. to immerse herself in American skating culture and improve her English, particularly to connect with young skaters. She has mastered speaking the “language of children,” allowing her to communicate with her young athletes on a deeper level.
Kristina holds a BA degree in Physical Education and is a United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) member. She is a certified USFSA coach and a professional member of the Ice Sports Industry (ISI), where she also serves as a Bronze-level judge. Beyond her coaching, Kristina is an accomplished author of several scientific review articles, the most recent of which explore the use of modern technologies such as AI and tracking systems in figure skating training. These credentials and contributions reflect her deep commitment to the sport and her drive to enhance her expertise continuously.
Photo Courtesy: Anna Cherkasova
In April 2023, Kristina began working closely with young skaters Cecilia Lee, who was 7, and Aurora Henrickson, who was 6, applying her unique blend of on-ice training, off-ice physical conditioning, and choreography. By October 2023, these efforts bore fruit as Cecilia secured first place in the Free Skate category at the 58th Annual Arrowhead Open Championships in Ontario, CA, performing a program choreographed by Kristina herself.
Kristina’s coaching journey reached new heights when she began preparing her skaters, including Claren Luk, for the prestigious ISI World Recreational Team Championship, held this year in San Jose. This championship is a significant event in the figure skating world, bringing together recreational skaters from around the globe to compete in various categories. Aurora and Claren both secured first-place finishes in their respective categories, executing their routines flawlessly under Kristina’s watchful eye.
Photo Courtesy: Anna Cherkasova
Beyond the rink, Kristina’s influence continues to grow. She currently coaches 30 athletes, eight of whom have already competed under her guidance. Among them is Nicole, just 3 years old, who was invited to participate in a benefit show as the youngest competitor—a rare feat for someone so young. Kristina’s hands-on approach, where she remains by the side of her youngest athletes during performances, sets her apart in a field where such personal attention is uncommon and requires special and individual approach.
Looking ahead, Kristina has her sights set on the 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City, with dreams of coaching her skaters to Olympic gold. But her ambitions don’t stop there. Inspired by the innovative spirit of Silicon Valley, she envisions developing a figure skating app designed to bring professional-level training to those who lack the time, financial resources, or access to traditional coaching. She also plans to launch a non-profit organization to provide figure skating opportunities for children from underserved communities.
Kristina is also one of the few coaches who incorporate her own techniques into training, helping to establish strong connections with her young athletes. This approach has made her one of the sought-after coaches in the area, with a growing waitlist of students eager to train under her guidance.
Photo Courtesy: Anna Cherkasova
In just 18 months of leading her athletes, Kristina has not only built a reputation but has also created a demand that sees any available slots in her schedule quickly filled. With her unique methodology, talent, and vision, Kristina Kutepova is poised to leave an indelible mark on the world of figure skating and grow powerful athletes for the U.S.
Instagram: @kutepova.kristina
Published by: Holy Minoza
