2016 Rostelecom Cup in photos: pairs draw and practice

The Rostelecom marathon continues with photos taken at the pairs draw, establishing the order for the short program segment of the event, and, later on, during practice. You’ll notice familiar faces – and we’re, of course, hinting, among others, at Aliona Savchenko & Bruno Massot, and Valentina Marchei & Ondrej Hotarek – but you’ll also see pairs debuting in the Grand Prix circuit; and a famous pair skater turned into coach in between his own Grand Prix assignments. Want to know who we’re talking about? See below – and enjoy the overall competition in Moscow.

Aliona Savchenko and husband Liam Cross waiting for the pairs draw to begin - Aliona got married in August this year

Aliona Savchenko and husband Liam Cross waiting for the pairs draw to begin – Aliona got married in August this year

Kristina Astakhova and Alexei Rogonov drew number 7 for their short program

Kristina Astakhova and Alexei Rogonov drew number 7 for their short program

According to the draw, Russia's Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert  were the last to take the ice for their short program - hence the smiles

According to the draw, Russia’s Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert were the last to take the ice for their short program – hence the smiles

Canada's Camille Ruest and Andrew Wolfe drew number 4, ending the first group of skaters in the pairs SP

Canada’s Camille Ruest and Andrew Wolfe drew number 4, ending the first group of skaters in the pairs SP

Newly crowned gold medalists in Skate America, Julianne Seguin and Charlie Bilodeau drew number 3 for their SP

Newly crowned gold medalists in Skate America, Julianne Seguin and Charlie Bilodeau drew number 3 for their SP

...while Aliona Savchenko drew number 2 for her and Bruno's short program.

…while Aliona Savchenko drew number 2 for her and Bruno’s short program.

Ondrej Hotarek drew number 6 for him and Valentina Marchei - according to the draw, they were pair 2 to take the ice in group 2.

Ondrej Hotarek drew number 6 for him and Valentina Marchei – according to the draw, they were pair 2 to take the ice in group 2.

There's a moment in a draw when everyone smiles: particularly when someone - a skater or a pair - chooses number 1. In this case, Lithuania's Goda Butkute and Nikita Ermolaev were scheduled to open the (pairs) ball; see their reaction.

There’s a moment in a draw when everyone smiles: particularly when someone – a skater or a pair – chooses number 1. In this case, Lithuania’s Goda Butkute and Nikita Ermolaev were scheduled to open the (pairs) ball; see their reaction.

Less than two hours later, the pairs took the ice for their practice - here you have Goda and Nikita...

Less than two hours later, the pairs took the ice for their practice – here you have Goda and Nikita…

...coached by no other than pair skater Alexander Smirnov in St. Petersburg.

…coached by no other than pair skater Alexander Smirnov in St. Petersburg.

A smiling Alexander Smirnov alongside student Nikita Ermolaev

A smiling Alexander Smirnov alongside student Nikita Ermolaev

Kristina Astakhova and Alexei Rogonov playfully take the ice for their practice

Kristina Astakhova and Alexei Rogonov playfully take the ice for their practice

Pairs practice 2016 Rostelecom Cup (6)  Kristina Alexei

For Russia's Alisa Efimova and Alexander Korovin, Rostelecom Cup is the first Grand Prix event of their career

For Russia’s Alisa Efimova and Alexander Korovin, Rostelecom Cup is the first Grand Prix event of their career

Alisa Efimova

Alisa Efimova

Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert during practice - they are a very well-matched pair and their elegance is obvious even in this snapshot

Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert during practice – they are a very well-matched pair and their elegance is obvious even in this snapshot

Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert practice 2016 Rostelecom Cup

Canada's Julianne Seguin and Charlie Bilodeau are ready to take the ice for their practice

Canada’s Julianne Seguin and Charlie Bilodeau are ready to take the ice for their practice

Another debut on the Grand Prix circuit: Canada's Camille Ruest and Andrew Wolfe

Another debut on the Grand Prix circuit: Canada’s Camille Ruest and Andrew Wolfe

...and now to the big guns in Moscow: Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot enter competition as favorites to win gold

…and now to the big guns in Moscow: Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot enter competition as favorites to win gold

Pairs practice 2016 Rostelecom Cup (15) Aliona Bruno

Aliona's husband, Liam Cross (first from the left), attended practice

Aliona’s husband, Liam Cross (first from the left), attended practice

Pairs practice 2016 Rostelecom Cup (17) Aliona Bruno

Pairs practice 2016 Rostelecom Cup (18) Aliona Bruno

Pairs practice 2016 Rostelecom Cup (19) Aliona Bruno

Pairs practice 2016 Rostelecom Cup (20) Aliona Bruno

All eyes, all confidence: Italy's Valentina Marchei and Ondrej Hotarek during practice

All eyes, all confidence: Italy’s Valentina Marchei and Ondrej Hotarek during practice

Pairs practice 2016 Rostelecom Cup (23) Valentina Ondrej

Pairs practice 2016 Rostelecom Cup (24) Valentina Ondrej

Pairs practice 2016 Rostelecom Cup (25) Valentina Ondrej

Well, their joy is contagious, even during practice

Well, their joy is contagious, even during practice

Forza! Team Italy, with Valentina and Ondrej ready to embrace the experience of this year's edition of Rostelecom Cup

Forza! Team Italy, with Valentina and Ondrej ready to embrace the experience of this year’s edition of Rostelecom Cup

FURTHER READING

2016 Rostelecom Cup: the draw for the ladies and men’s SP. A photo story.

Defining moments of Skate America – in photos