St. Petersburg, June 30, Boris Khodorovsky. The Russian dance pair of figure skaters Diana Davis/Gleb Smolkin, after completing their collaboration with the American coach Igor Shpilband, began to work with the well-known specialist Alexei Kilyakov, who performed with Davis' mother as the honored coach of Russia Eteri Tutberidze, a source familiar with the situation said. It was reported that Davis and Smolkin would be reviewed by the United States Figure Skating Association (USFS). The couple participated in the 2022 Olympics under the flag of the Russian Olympic Committee. According to a source, Davis and Smolkin stopped working with Shpilband. After that, the skaters and Tutberidze turned to coaches Marina Zueva and Sochi 2014 Olympic champion Charlie White, but they failed to agree on joint work. Davis/Smolkin were also at the rink where former Soviet figure skater Natalia Annenko-Dellert works. Currently, the couple works at the skating rink of the club of Alexei Kilyakov and his wife Elena Novik in Virginia. Tutberidze performed in a dance pair with Kilyakov under the direction of Gennady Akkerman. In the USA, Kilyakov and Novik are known for their work with junior duets. In 2016, their students Lorraine McNamara/Quinn Carpenter and Rachel Parsons/Michael Parsons won gold and silver at the Junior World Championships. At the last US Championship, the pair of Kilyakov Caroline Green/Michael Parsons became 4th.
