On Saturday, March 15, 2025, the highly anticipated T-Bank Channel One Cup kicked off at the Traktor Ice Arena in Chelyabinsk, bringing together some of the best figure skaters under the guidance of renowned team captains, including Alina Zagitova, Anna Shcherbakova, and Alexandra Trusova. The excitement-filled atmosphere was palpable as athletes showcased their skills and artistry on the ice.
Before the competition even began, the teams participated in a unique draw held at the Chelyabinsk Pipe Rolling Plant, known as 'Visota 239.' This industrial venue, located 239 meters above sea level—the highest point among pipe factories in Russia—set the stage for the selection of team members, making it quite the memorable experience.
During the draw, the captains finalized their teams: Team White led by Alexandra Trusova includes Evgeniy Semenenko, Makar Ignatov, Dmitry Aliev, and Nikita Sarnovskiy, along with Sofia Akatieva, Elena Kostyleva, Alisa Dvoeglazova, and Veronika Yametova. Notably, they also feature Natalia Khabibullina paired with Ilya Knyazhuk, and Elizaveta Pasechnik with Dario Cirisano, who will compete as ice dancers.
Team Blue, captained by Anna Shcherbakova, consists of Vladislav Dikidzhi, Petr Gumennik, Nikolai Ugozhaev, and Nikolai Kolesnikov, alongside Alina Gorbacheva, Sofia Muravyeva, Daria Sadkova, and Ksenia Sinitsyna. Competing as sports couples are Anastasia Mukhortova partnered with Dmitry Evgenyev, and Vasilisa Kaganovskaya with Maxim Nekrasov, who are also set to dazzle on the ice.
Team Red, commanded by Aline Zagitova, features Mark Kondratyuk, Gleb Lutfullin, Daniil Samsonov, and Lev Lazarev. The strong lineup continues with Anna Frolova, Elizaveta Andreeva, Ksenia Gushchina, and Sofia Vazhnova. The team also fields pairs Alexandra Boikova and Dmitry Kozlovskiy, along with Ekaterina Mironova and Evgeny Ustenko.
Before the competition began, athletes enjoyed guided tours of the 'Visota 239' facility, receiving personalized helmets as keepsakes—a delightful touch. The players commented on the experience, with Vladislav Dikidzhi remarking on the light-hearted atmosphere as teammates exchanged helmets playfully.
The tournament featured its first competitions on the same day, with short programs scheduled alongside the exciting "battle of elements," where skaters displayed individual skills. The first performance was delivered by Anastasia Mukhortova and Dmitry Evgenyev from Team Blue, achieving commendable scores with 70.30 points, earning them third place.
Following them, Alexandra Boikova and Dmitry Kozlovskiy from Team Red wowed the audience and judges, scoring 79.70 points and securing the top ranking for their impressive showing. Their strong technique and choreography captivated everyone. Meanwhile, Natalia Khabibullina and Ilya Knyazhuk from Team White scored 73.92 points, showcasing their talent and potential.
Both Mukhortova and Evgenyev expressed gratitude for the audience's support, with Mukhortova stating, "Это честь для нас!" (This is an honor for us!) and Evgenyev adding, "Спасибо большое, что вы пришли, спасибо большое, что вы болеете. Несмотря на то, что у нас соревнования, мы остаемся одной большой команды, поэтому поддерживайте как своих." (Thank you so much for coming, thank you for your support. Even though we have competitions, we remain one big team, so support your own.) Mukhortova continued, saying, "Можно было еще лучше откатать, но сегодня пока так." (We could have skated even stronger, but for today, this is it.)
The T-Bank Channel One Cup promises to be filled with captivating performances over the next two days as teams vie for top honors. With the competition set to feature not only short and free programs but also relay events and skills contests, audience excitement continues to build as the sports community rallies behind their favorite skaters.
The blend of industrial heritage and sportsmanship at this year's cup exemplifies Chelyabinsk's dedication to both community and competition, paving the way for memorable moments and inspiring young athletes to reach new heights.