by Anne Calder | Photographs by Daphne Backman
“Our partnership started when Max’s unique associate determined to cease skating and do tennis,” Stapert stated. “Our coaches introduced us collectively as a result of we had been coaching on the similar Academy.”
In January 2019, the crew competed as juveniles on the final U.S. Nationwide Championships that the JINs (Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice) attended previous to the institution of the Nationwide Growth Camp.
Based mostly on their intermediate scores on the 2020 Ice Dance Remaining in Hyannis, MA, Stapert & Korotcov certified for the inaugural Camp, that was held together with the 2020 U.S. Nationwide Championships in Greensboro, NC. As a result of COVID-19, the Camp was cancelled in 2021.
Stapert & Korotcov skated as novices in 2022-2023 previous to shifting as much as the junior stage in 2023.
The crew shared its ideas on their 2025-2026 applications. The rhythm dance is music from the 1990’s decade.
“I actually love our rhythm dance, particularly the final piece “Groove is within the Coronary heart” by Deee-Lite,” Stapert stated. “I really feel it’s a really up-beat program. Even from the start, we needed a boy band.”
“Our first two items are each by New Children On the Block – “Step By Step” and “Video games,” Korotcov added. “I really feel the music works very well collectively in addition to with the final piece. We will exhibit a extra up-beat vibe, and the way we are able to dance collectively and have enjoyable. It’s a distinction from different seasons.”
Our Free Dance to Les Miserables was urged by our French Coach Pierre,” Stapert defined. “Elena favored it too. After we heard and noticed it just a few instances, we actually favored the film and the music – Really all of it.”
“We’ve actually been doing our analysis attempting to seize the texture of all of the totally different media that has proven it,” Korotcov added.
“I actually like how highly effective the entire program feels,” Stapert famous. “I actually prefer it, too,” stated her associate. “It’s a unique vibe from final 12 months once we skated a rock program. I actually like how emotional it’s. We’re actually in contact with one another and exhibit the story, and the feelings that include it.”
Korotcov famous that after being companions now for eight years, “it’s principally like being siblings. We all know one another so nicely. We really feel one another with out having to say one thing.”
“It actually helps in this system to have the ability to step on the ice and be collectively identical to we’ve skated this summer time in Lake Placid,” Stapert added. “It’s been a extremely enjoyable occasion for the crew. We put out two good applications to simply go on the market and present them. Everybody has been very supportive particularly with it being the primary Worldwide of the season.
“I agree,” added Korotcov. “It was very thrilling. It was a really good environment and vibe. The entire thing has been so pleasing – and so enjoyable. The assist right here has been so wonderful. It was very nice.”
Interrupting for an exciting information flash…
“Simply this morning we received the information about attending our first Junior Grand Prix, August 27-30,” Stapert introduced. “We’re fairly comfortable. It’s an important honor, and we get to go together with our Virginia teammates, too.”
“Simply with the ability to go to Ankara, Turkey and symbolize the USA is such a privilege,” Korotcov added. “I’m actually excited. We don’t know what to anticipate, however I’m certain it’s going to be wonderful,”
“We’ve already had just a few worldwide assignments,” Stapert shared. “One in novice was on the Santa Claus Cup in 2022. Then final 12 months we went to Good and Egna for 2 smaller competitions. It’s actually nice to have the ability to discover new locations. It’s actually wonderful that we get to go.”
“It’s positively the largest one we’re going to be doing, so it’s very thrilling,” Korotcov stated. “The worldwide competitions have such a unique vibe. Individuals are so pleasant. Even right here in Lake Placid having skaters from totally different nations has been enjoyable. We’ve been assembly new folks, and it’s good.”
“We’re simply actually excited for the season,” Stapert stated. “We’re actually working arduous, and it’s very nice to see it repay. Excited to see the way it goes for the remainder of the season. We will’t wait to point out extra applications and extra enhancements.”
In closing the interview, IDC requested the teammates a well-liked closing hypothetical query: In the event you had a possibility to ask anybody to offer you a non-public ice dance lesson, what particular person or crew would you select?
“I might be comfortable to see somebody new are available and have a lesson with a unique perspective,” Stapert stated.
“Perhaps Tessa Advantage and Scott Moir,” Korotcov added. “Their skating is so distinctive. It’s so easy that watching it’s so mesmerizing. I really feel it’s a totally totally different perspective and a totally totally different vibe to the way you strategy all the things. My entire household is worked up about how they skate. They’d be comfortable about that.”
Annelise Stapert & Maxim Korotcov have been prolonged a second ISU Junior Grand Prix invitation. The crew will even compete at Varese, Italy, from September 3-6.
