Natalia Zabiiako
Zabiiako in 2023
Full nameNatalia Aleksandrovna Zabiiako
Other namesNatalja Zabijako
Natalya Zabiyako
Born (1994-08-15) 15 August 1994
Tallinn, Estonia
Height1.64 m (5 ft 5 in)
Figure skating career
Country Russia
CoachNina Mozer, Vladislav Zhovnirski
Skating clubVorobievie Gory
Began skating1998
Medal record
Figure skating: Pairs
Representing
 Olympic Athletes from Russia
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place2018 PyeongchangTeam
Representing  Russia
World Championships
Bronze medal – third place2019 SaitamaPairs
European Championships
Bronze medal – third place2018 MoscowPairs
World Team Trophy
Bronze medal – third place2019 FukuokaTeam

Natalia Aleksandrovna Zabiiako (Russian: Наталья Александровна Забияко, born 15 August 1994) is a Russian-Estonian competitive pair skater. Competing for Russia with Alexander Enbert, she was the 2019 World bronze medalist, 2018 European bronze medalist, 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki champion, 2018 NHK Trophy champion, 2016 Rostelecom Cup silver medalist, and three-time Russian national medalist.

Zabiiako competed for Estonia until 2014, partnered with Sergei Muhhin, Sergei Kulbach, and Alexandr Zaboev. With Zaboev, she placed tenth at the 2014 European Championships. Although they qualified a spot for Estonia in the pairs' event at the 2014 Winter Olympics, they did not compete in Sochi because Zaboev's fast-track citizenship application was declined.

Personal life

Zabiiako was born in Tallinn, Estonia.[1] Her mother is an Estonian citizen, and her father holds an Estonian alien's passport.

From 2010 to 2014, Zabiiako lived in the United States with a Russian emigrant family.[2] In April 2014, she said she planned to move to Moscow and apply for Russian citizenship.[2][3] She became a Russian citizen on 19 December 2014.[4]

Zabiiako is in a relationship with Russian tennis player Daria Kasatkina.[5] It became public after Kasatkina and Zabiiako posted photos of each other together on Instagram in July 2022.[6][7][8] Zabiiako and Kasatkina also started a YouTube vlog about life on the tennis tour.[9]

Career for Estonia

Zabiiako began skating when she was four years old. At age 15, she switched from singles to pairs, partnering with Sergei Muhhin.[2] They made their international debut at the 2009 ISU Junior Grand Prix in Belarus and placed sixteenth at the 2010 World Junior Championships.

Partnership with Kulbach

Zabiiako and Kulbach at the 2011 World Championships

Later in 2010, Zabiiako teamed up with Ukrainian skater Sergei Kulbach to represent Estonia. After debuting at the 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy, the pair placed thirteenth at the 2011 European Championships and sixteenth at the 2011 World Championships. Zabiiako injured her back as a result of a fall at the NRW Trophy in December 2011, preventing them from competing at the 2012 European Championships.[10] On 15 February 2012, it was reported that Zabiiako and Kulbach had parted ways.[10]

Partnership with Zaboev

In October 2012, Zabiiako teamed up with Russian-born skater Alexandr Zaboev to compete for Estonia.[11] By finishing ninth at the 2013 Nebelhorn Trophy, they earned a spot for Estonia in pair skating at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi. Zaboev applied for Estonian citizenship, required to represent the country at the Olympics,[11] but in November 2013, Estonia denied his fast-track application.[12] Zabiiako/Zaboev placed tenth at the 2014 European Championships and nineteenth at the 2014 World Championships. In late March 2014, Zabiiako ended their partnership, saying he was too difficult to work with[13] and the Estonian Skating Federation did not provide them with equal financial support.[14] In early April 2014, the Secretary General of the Estonian Skating Union submitted an official rebuttal to Zabiiako's statements. The Secretary General called Zabiiako's statements concerning the Skating Union and her partner slanderous and untrue; "Sport - is voluntary, and each person has a right to make decisions, but to justify their actions do not have to lie and defame their partners."[15]

Move to Russia

In April 2014, Zabiiako said she would move to Moscow to work with Nina Mozer and try out with different skaters,[13] intending to compete for Russia.[2] ISU rules require skaters to sit out a certain period of time after a country change.[16]

In Summer 2014, Zabiiako and Yuri Larionov decided to skate together. In June 2015, she said that their partnership had ended.

2015–16 season: Beginning of partnership with Enbert

In July 2015, the Russian media reported that Zabiiako had teamed up with Alexander Enbert and that she had been released to represent Russia internationally.[17]

Zabiiako/Enbert's international debut came in October 2015 at the 2015 Mordovian Ornament, a Challenger Series (CS) event at which they won a silver medal. In November, the pair appeared for the first time on the Grand Prix series, placing fifth at the 2015 Rostelecom Cup. In early December, they finished fourth at the 2015 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb and third in the CS standings. At the 2016 Russian Championships, the pair placed fifth in both segments and overall.

2016–17 season

Zabiiako and Enbert at the 2016 Rostelecom Cup

Zabiiako/Enbert started the 2016–17 season on the Challenger Series, obtaining the bronze medal at the 2016 CS Ondrej Nepela Memorial. Turning to the Grand Prix series, the pair won the silver medal at the 2016 Rostelecom Cup, having placed first in the short and second in the free behind Germany's Aliona Savchenko / Bruno Massot. They then placed fourth at the 2016 Trophée de France. These results didn't qualify them to the 2016–17 Grand Prix Final but they were the 1st alternates and were called up after Aliona Savchenko / Bruno Massot withdrew. Zabiiako/Enbert placed fourth at the 2016–17 Grand Prix Final after placing fifth in both the short program and the free skate.

In December 2016, Zabiiako/Enbert won the bronze medal at the 2017 Russian Championships after placing third in both the short program and the free skate. In January 2017 they competed at the 2017 European Championships where finished fifth after placing fifth in both the short program and the free skate. In March 2017 Zabiiako/Enbert finished twelfth at the 2017 World Championships.

2017–18 season

Zabiiako/Enbert began their season on the Challenger Series, winning a gold medal at both the 2017 CS Lombardia Trophy and 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy.[18]

In their first Grand Prix event of the season, Zabiiako/Enbert placed fourth at 2017 Skate Canada after placing fourth in both the short program and free skate.[19] In their second Grand Prix event at 2017 Skate America, Zabiiako/Enbert placed fourth after ranking fourth in the short program and fifth in the free skate.[20] The pair did not quality for the 2017-18 Grand Prix Final.

In December 2017, Zabiiako/Enbert won their 3rd 2017–18 Challenger Series gold medal when they won the 2017 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb. A few weeks later they placed third at the 2018 Russian Championships, earning places on the Russian national team for the 2018 Winter Olympics.

In January 2018, they won the bronze medal at the 2018 European Championships after placing second in the short program and third in the free skate.

At the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea, Zabiiako/Enbert placed third in the free skate portion of the team event, earning a silver medal as part of the Russian team. They then placed seventh at the pairs event with a personal best score of 212.88 points.

In March 2018, Zabiiako/Enbert finished fourth at the 2018 World Championships after placing fourth in the short program and sixth in the free skate.

2018–19 season

Zabiiako and Enbert at the 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki

Zabiiako/Enbert started their season in mid September at the 2018 CS Lombardia Trophy where they won the gold medal ahead of their teammates Aleksandra Boikova / Dmitrii Kozlovskii.

In early November, Zabiiako/Enbert won their first Grand Prix gold medal at the 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki. They ranked second in the short program and first in the free skate and beat the silver medalists, Nicole Della Monica / Matteo Guarise, by about 13 points. Zabiiako described their first Grand Prix victory as "a good experience for us."[21] Only one week later, Zabiiako/Enbert won their second Grand Prix gold medal at the 2018 NHK Trophy with a personal best score of 214.14 points. They ranked first in both programs and beat the silver medalist, Peng Cheng / Jin Yang, by about 7 points.[22]

With two Grand Prix gold medals, they qualified for the 2018–19 Grand Prix Final. In second after the short program, an underrotated side-by-side jump from Zabiiako followed by an aborted lift toward the end of their program dropped them to fourth in the free skate and fourth overall. Zabiiako remarked that "probably some parts of our program were not quite ready yet, but we will improve them."[23] At the 2019 Russian Championships, Zabiiako/Enbert won the silver medal, placing second in both the short and free programs.[24] Enbert said "we’re pleased with what we showed in the free skating. We fixed some issues from the Final and skated at a higher level here in Saransk."[25]

Zabiiako/Enbert were named to Russia's team for the 2019 European Championships, but withdrew on December 27, 2018 due to medical issues. They were replaced by Daria Pavliuchenko / Denis Khodykin.[26][27]

One week prior to the 2019 World Championships, the skaters were declared fit to compete, and they won their first World medal—a bronze.[27] They concluded their season at the 2019 World Team Trophy as part of Team Russia, where they won the bronze medal.[28]

Retirement

Zabiiako/Enbert did not compete during the 2019–20 figure skating season due to Enbert's illness. On February 26, 2020, it was announced that while Enbert was healthy again, they would not be returning to competition.[29] In the same year, a documentary film "Unbroken" was released about two pair skating teams Cain-Gribble / LeDuc (USA) and Zabiiako / Enbert (Russia).[30]

Attempt to resume a career in Canada

On May 18, 2022, it was announced that Zabiiako "is resuming her career and will compete for Canada" with Zachary Daleman as her partner under the guidance of a coach Bruno Marcotte.[31] On July 20, 2022, it was announced that Zabiiako no longer trains in Canada and the request of the Canadian Figure Skating Federation was withdrawn.[32]

Programs

With Enbert

Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2019–2020
      2018–2019
      [33]
      2017–2018
      [34][35]
      2016–2017
      [37]
      2015–2016
      [1][38]
      • Juno and Avos
        by Alexey Rybnikov

      With Larionov

      Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
      2014–15

      With Zaboev

      Season Short program Free skating
      2013–14
      [39]
      • Russian folk music

      With Kulbach

      Season Short program Free skating
      2011–12
      [40]
      • Russian folk music
      2010–11
      [41]
      • Middle Eastern composition
      • Tribute Nostalgia
      • Until the Last Moment
        by Yanni

      With Muhhin

      Season Short program Free skating
      2009–10
      [42]
      • Charlie Chaplin

      Records and achievements

      (with Enbert)

      Competitive highlights

      GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

      With Enbert for Russia

      International[43]
      Event 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19 19–20
      Olympics7th
      Worlds12th4th3rd
      Europeans5th3rd
      GP Final4th4th
      GP Finland1st
      GP France4thWD
      GP NHK Trophy1st
      GP Rostelecom5th2nd
      GP Skate America4thWD
      GP Skate Canada4th
      CS Golden Spin4th1st
      CS Lombardia1st1st
      CS Mordovian2nd
      CS Nepela Trophy3rd1st
      National[44]
      Russian Champ.5th3rd3rd2nd
      Team events
      Olympics2nd T
      3rd P
      World Team Trophy3rd T
      2nd P
      TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew
      T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

      With Larionov for Russia

      National[44]
      Event 2014–15
      Russian Championships7th

      With Zaboev for Estonia

      International[45]
      Event 2013–14
      World Championships19th
      European Championships10th
      Golden Spin of Zagreb2nd
      Nebelhorn Trophy9th

      With Kulbach for Estonia

      Zabiiako competes with Sergei Kulbach at the 2011 World Championships
      International[46]
      Event 2010–11 2011–12
      World Champ.16th
      European Champ.13th
      NRW Trophy5th3rd
      International: Junior
      JGP Estonia4th
      National
      Estonian Champ.1st

      With Muhhin for Estonia

      International[47]
      Event 2009–10
      World Junior Champ.16th
      JGP Belarus13th
      National
      Estonian Championships1st

      Detailed results

      Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. At team events, medals awarded for team results only.

      Zabiiako and Enbert at the 2016 Rostelecom Cup

      With Enbert

      2018–19 season
      Date Event SP FS Total
      11–14 April 2019 2019 World Team Trophy 1
      75.80      		 2
      141.32      		 3T/2P
      217.12
      18–24 March 2019 2019 World Championships 4
      73.96      		 4
      144.02      		 3
      217.98
      19–23 December 2018 2019 Russian Championships 2
      78.53      		 2
      151.96      		 2
      230.49
      6–9 December 2018 2018–19 Grand Prix Final 2
      75.18      		 4
      125.89      		 4
      201.07
      9–11 November 2018 2018 NHK Trophy 1
      73.48      		 1
      140.66      		 1
      214.14
      2–4 November 2018 2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki 2
      67.59      		 1
      130.92      		 1
      198.51
      12–16 September 2018 2018 CS Lombardia Trophy 1
      72.50      		 2
      123.65      		 1
      196.15
      2017–18 season
      Date Event SP FS Total
      19–25 March 2018 2018 World Championships 4
      74.38      		 6
      133.50      		 4
      207.88
      14–25 February 2018 2018 Winter Olympics 8
      74.35      		 7
      138.53      		 7
      212.88
      9–12 February 2018 2018 Winter Olympics (Team event)
      		3
      133.28      		 2
      15–21 January 2018 2018 European Championships 2
      72.95      		 3
      137.23      		 3
      210.18
      21–24 December 2017 2018 Russian Championships 3
      75.00      		 3
      132.51      		 3
      207.51
      6–9 December 2017 2017 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb 1
      68.76      		 1
      134.20      		 1
      202.96
      24–26 November 2017 2017 Skate America 4
      70.15      		 5
      127.74      		 4
      197.89
      27–29 October 2017 2017 Skate Canada 4
      69.00      		 4
      123.70      		 4
      192.70
      21–23 September 2017 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy 2
      64.52      		 1
      128.06      		 1
      192.58
      14–17 September 2017 2017 CS Lombardia Trophy 1
      69.22      		 1
      126.84      		 1
      196.06
      2016–17 season
      Date Event SP FS Total
      29 March – 2 April 2017 2017 World Championships 5
      74.26      		 13
      118.28      		 12
      192.54
      25–29 January 2017 2017 European Championships 5
      72.38      		 5
      128.37      		 5
      200.75
      20–26 December 2016 2017 Russian Championships 3
      72.85      		 3
      129.06      		 3
      201.91
      8–11 December 2016 2016–17 Grand Prix Final 5
      65.79      		 5
      122.53      		 4
      188.32
      11–13 November 2016 2016 Trophée de France 3
      71.36      		 4
      121.20      		 4
      192.56
      4–6 November 2016 2016 Rostelecom Cup 1
      69.76      		 2
      128.01      		 2
      197.77
      30 September – 2 October 2016 2016 CS Ondrej Nepela Memorial 3
      67.04      		 3
      114.34      		 3
      181.38
      2015–16 season
      Date Event SP FS Total
      23–27 December 2015 2016 Russian Championships 5
      70.60      		 5
      134.43      		 5
      205.03
      2–5 December 2015 2015 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb 4
      60.96      		 4
      112.66      		 4
      173.62
      20–22 November 2015 2015 Rostelecom Cup 5
      60.77      		 5
      119.79      		 5
      180.56
      15–18 October 2015 2015 CS Mordovian Ornament 2
      67.64      		 2
      128.58      		 2
      196.22

      References

      1. 1 2 "Natalia ZABIIAKO / Alexander ENBERT: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 27 May 2016.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
      2. 1 2 3 4 Kuznetsova, Inna (8 April 2014). Наталья Забияко: иногда, чтобы чего-то достичь, нужно рискнуть [Natalia Zabiiako: Sometimes you have to take a risk to achieve something]. team-russia2014.ru (in Russian). Archived from the original on 11 April 2014. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
      3. ↑ Mikhailov, Sergei (7 April 2014). Наталья Забияко: я все обдумала и буду брать российское гражданство [Natalia Zabiiako: I've thought it over and decided to apply for Russian citizenship]. Eesti Rahvusringhääling (Russian version) (in Russian).
      4. ↑ Medvedev, Gennadij (23 December 2014). ФОТО: Чемпионка Эстонии получила российское гражданство [Estonian champion receives Russian citizenship]. Delfi (web portal) (Russian version) (in Russian).
      5. ↑ ""Living in peace with yourself is the only thing that matters": Daria Kasatkina embodies the personal power of conviction and courage". Tennis. July 18, 2022.
      6. ↑ Harding, Luke (18 July 2022). "Daria Kasatkina comes out as gay and speaks out against Russian attitudes". TheGuardian.com.
      7. ↑ ""Es ist schwierig in Russland" – Tennis-Star Kassatkina liebt eine Frau" (in German). 19 July 2022.
      8. ↑ "Daria Kasatkina feeling 'more free and happy' after coming out". WTA Tennis. 4 August 2022.
      9. ↑ "Daria Kasatkina, Natalia Zabiiako pull back the curtain on Indian Wells in latest vlog". Tennis.com. 13 March 2023. Retrieved 12 June 2023.
      10. 1 2 Värv, Maarja (15 February 2012). "Eesti paarissõitjate teed läksid lahku" [Estonian pair skaters part ways]. Postimees (in Estonian). Archived from the original on 13 March 2012.
      11. 1 2 "Russian Figure Skater Seeks Estonia Switch for Sochi Dream". R-Sport. RIA Novosti. 4 October 2013. Archived from the original on 7 October 2013.
      12. ↑ "Estonia stops Russian figure skater's Sochi hopes". ESPN. Associated Press. 14 November 2013.
      13. 1 2 Фигуристка Наталья Забияко рассказала Delfi всю правду о своем бывшем партнере [Figure skater Natalia Zabiiako speaks to Delfi about her former partner]. Delfi (web portal) (Russian version) (in Russian). 8 April 2014.
      14. ↑ "Kodakondsusest loobuv Natalia Zabiiako: Eestis on tippu jõudmine ebareaalne [Renouncing Nationality, Natalia Zabiiako: Getting to the Unrealistic Topl]". Delfi. Delfi Sport. Retrieved 8 April 2014.
      15. ↑ "Союз конькобежцев Эстонии опровергает высказывания Натальи Забияко [Estonian Skating Union Refutes Statements Of Natalia Zabiiako]". Delfi. Retrieved 9 April 2014.
      16. ↑ Mikhailov, Sergei (6 April 2014). Руководство фигурного катания Эстонии в шоке от решения Забияко [Estonian skating association shocked by Zabiiako's decision]. Eesti Rahvusringhääling (Russian version) (in Russian).
      17. ↑ "Наталья Забияко: с нового сезона я уже могу официально представлять Россию на любых соревнованиях!". Archived from the original on 2016-03-04. Retrieved 2015-07-17.
      18. ↑ "10th Lombardia Trophy 2017 - Senior Pairs". www.fisg.it. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
      19. ↑ "ISU GP 2017 Skate Canada International - Pairs". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
      20. ↑ "ISU GP 2017 Bridgestone Skate America - Pairs". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 2017-11-25.
      21. ↑ Slater, Paula (3 November 2018). "Zabiiako and Enbert capture gold in Helsinki". Golden Skate.
      22. ↑ Mammoser, Scott (10 November 2018). "Russian pair team Zabiiako and Enbert take gold at NHK Trophy". Golden Skate.
      23. ↑ Flett, Ted (9 December 2018). "James and Cipres rebound to capture Grand Prix title in Pairs". Golden Skate.
      24. ↑ Flade, Tatjana (20 December 2018). "Tarasova and Morozov lead Pairs in Saransk". Golden Skate.
      25. ↑ Flade, Tatjana (22 December 2018). "Tarasova and Morozov defend Russian National title in Saransk". Golden Skate.
      26. ↑ Наталья Забияко и Александр Энберт не примут участие в Чемпионате Европы [Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert will not take part in the European Championship] (in Russian). Russian Figure Skating Federation. 27 December 2018.
      27. 1 2 Flade, Tatjana (22 May 2019). "Zabiiako and Enbert: 'Everything is falling into place'". Golden Skate.
      28. ↑ Slater, Paula (April 13, 2019). "Team USA wins fourth World Team Trophy gold". Golden Skate.
      29. ↑ "Фигуристы Наталья Забияко и Александр Энберт объявили о завершении карьеры" [Skaters Natalia Zabiyako and Alexander Enbert announced the completion of a career] (in Russian). Govorit Moskva. February 26, 2020.
      30. ↑ Unbroken (2020) at IMDb
      31. ↑ "Призер Олимпиады-2018 Наталья Забияко возобновит карьеру и будет выступать за Канаду («Р-Спорт»)". Sports.ru. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
      32. ↑ "Фигуристка Забияко больше не тренируется в Канаде, она вернулась в Европу". TASS. Retrieved 21 July 2022.
      33. ↑ "Natalia ZABIIAKO / Alexander ENBERT: 2018/2019". International Skating Union.
      34. ↑ "Natalia ZABIIAKO / Alexander ENBERT: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 17 October 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
      35. ↑ Golinsky, Reut (6 December 2017). "Meet Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert". Absolute Skating.
      36. ↑ ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2017 Skate Canada International - Gala Exhibition (Television production). Eurosport. October 29, 2017.
      37. ↑ "Natalia ZABIIAKO / Alexander ENBERT: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 30 May 2017.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
      38. ↑ Фигуристы группы Нины Мозер показали новые программы [Nina Moser's skaters group showed the new programs] (in Russian). Russian Figure Skating Federation. 12 August 2015.
      39. ↑ "Natalia Zabiiako / Alexandr ZABOEV: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014.
      40. ↑ "Natalia Zabiiako / Sergei KULBACH: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 2 October 2012.
      41. ↑ "Natalia Zabiiako / Sergei KULBACH: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 25 January 2011.
      42. ↑ "Natalia Zabiiako / Sergei MUHHIN: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 14 March 2010.
      43. ↑ "Competition Results: Natalia ZABIIAKO / Alexander ENBERT". International Skating Union.
      44. 1 2 Наталья Александровна Забияко [Natalia Aleksandrovna Zabiiako] (in Russian). fskate.ru. Archived from the original on 2016-01-11. Retrieved 2014-12-25.
      45. ↑ "Competition Results: Natalia Zabiiako / Alexandr ZABOEV". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 6 April 2014.
      46. ↑ "Competition Results: Natalia Zabiiako / Sergei KULBACH". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 20 October 2012.
      47. ↑ "Competition Results: Natalia Zabiiako / Sergei MUHHIN". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 14 October 2012.

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