Alisa Borisovna Efimova (Russian: Алиса Борисовна Ефимова, born 8 June 1999) is an American pair skater. With her current partner, Misha Mitrofanov, she is the 2024 U.S. national silver medalist and 2024 Skate America bronze medalist.

Alisa Efimova
Full nameAlisa Borisovna Efimova
Native nameАлиса Борисовна Ефимова
Born (1999-06-08) 8 June 1999 (age 25)
Kouvola, Finland
HometownBoston, Massachusetts
Height1.54 m (5 ft 12 in)
Figure skating career
Country United States
(since 2023)
 Germany (2021–23)
 Russia (2015–20)
 Finland (2012–14)
DisciplinePair skating (since 2015)
Women's singles (2012–14)
PartnerMisha Mitrofanov
(since 2023)
Ruben Blommaert (2021–23)
Alexander Korovin (2015–20)
CoachOlga Ganicheva
Alexei Letov
Began skating2001
Medal record
Representing  United States
U.S. Championships
Silver medal – second place 2024 Columbus Pairs
Representing  Germany
German Championships
Silver medal – second place 2022 Neuss Pairs

Competing for Germany with Ruben Blommaert, she is the 2022 Grand Prix of Espoo silver medalist.

Earlier in her career, she represented Russia with Alexander Korovin. The pair won one Grand Prix medal, silver at the 2018 Skate America, and five medals on the ISU Challenger Series, including gold at the 2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy and 2018 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb.

Personal life

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Efimova was born in Kouvola, Finland.[1] Her mother, Marina Shirshova, is figure skating who currently works in Lappeenranta, Finland, while her father, Boris Efimov, is a physician. She also has a younger brother named Nikita.[2][3][4]

Efimova is multilingual, able to communicate in Finnish, Russian, English and German fluently. Additionally, she has also studied French and Swedish. Following the end of her competitive figure skating career, Efimova has expressed interest in pursuing a career in medicine.[4]

Career

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Early years

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Efimova began learning to skate in 2002 at the age of 2.[1][4] She represented Finland internationally until 2014 when she moved to Moscow and switched from singles to pairs.

Partnership with Korovin

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2016–17 season

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Efimova and Korovin during at the 2016 Rostelecom Cup

Efimova began competing with her first pair skating partner, Alexander Korovin, in 2014.[5][6] Their international debut came in February 2016 at the Hellmut Seibt Memorial. They won the silver medal, finishing second to Italy's Valentina Marchei / Ondřej Hotárek.

Coached by Natalia Pavlova and Alexander Zaitsev in Moscow,[7] Efimova/Korovin debuted on the Grand Prix series, placing seventh at the 2016 Rostelecom Cup in November. Later that month, the two received the silver medal at the 2016 CS Tallinn Trophy, having ranked second in the short program, first in the free skate, and second overall behind Alina Ustimkina / Nikita Volodin of Russia. After placing eighth at the 2017 Russian Championships, they took silver at the Cup of Tyrol in March 2017.

2017–18 season

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Efimova/Korovin relocated to Saint Petersburg to be coached by Oleg Vasiliev and Tamara Moskvina.[8] In September, the pair placed fifth at their season opener, the 2017 CS Lombardia Trophy and then won bronze at the 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy a week later. In November, they took silver at the 2017 CS Tallinn Trophy behind Australia's Ekaterina Alexandrovskaya / Harley Windsor. They had no Grand Prix assignments. They finished ninth at the 2018 Russian Championships.

2018–19 season

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In September, Efimova/Korovin won their first international gold medal at their first event of the season, the 2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. Ranked fourth in the short program and first in the free skate, they outscored the silver medalists, Alexa Scimeca Knierim / Chris Knierim, by 1.72 points.

Efimova/Korovin competed at two Grand Prix events, the 2018 Skate America and 2018 Rostelecom Cup. In October, Efimova/Korovin won their first Grand Prix medal, silver, at the 2018 Skate America. Ranked second in the short program and third in the free skate, they won the silver medal behind their teammates Evgenia Tarasova / Vladimir Morozov. In mid-November, they competed at the 2018 Rostelecom Cup, where they finished fifth after placing fourth in the short program and fifth in the free skate.

In early December, Efimova/Korovin won their second Challenger Series gold medal of the season at the 2018 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb. Ranked first in the short program and second in the free skate, they again narrowly beat Alexa Scimeca Knierim / Chris Knierim. This time Efimova/Korovin beat them by 1.05 points. At this event, Efimova/Korovin also scored their personal best score of 183.89 points.

At the 2019 Russian Championships, Efimova/Korovin placed sixth. They then finished the season by winning gold at the 2019 Winter Universiade.

2019–20 season

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Beginning the season on the Challenger series, Efimova/Korovin were seventh at the 2019 CS Nebelhorn Trophy, then won the silver medal at the 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy. They finished eighth of eight teams at the 2019 Cup of China. They placed fourth at the 2019 NHK Trophy.[9]

At the 2020 Russian Championships, Efimova/Korovin placed fourth in the short program.[10] The free skate was a struggle, with them placing tenth in that segment and dropping to ninth place overall.[11]

The pair parted ways following the season.[12]

Partnership with Bloomaert

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2021–22 season

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In 2021, it was announced that Efimova had teamed up with German pair skater, Ruben Blommaert and that they would be coached in Oberstorf by Florian Just.[13][14][15]

They competed at the 2021 German Championships, the pair won the silver medal behind Minerva Fabienne Hase / Nolan Seegert.[15]

2022–23 season

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Making their international debut together, Efimova/Bloomaert won the silver medal at the 2022 CS Nebelhorn Trophy behind Deanna Stellato-Dudek / Maxime Deschamps of Canada. They then went on to win another silver medal at the 2022 CS Finlandia Trophy.[15]

Competing on the Grand Prix series, Efimova/Bloomaert competed at 2022 Skate Canada International, however, after a hard fall on a throw in the short program, Efimova bruised her thigh and the pair withdrew from the event before the free skate.[16] Going on to compete at the 2022 Grand Prix of Espoo, Efimova/Bloomaert won the silver medal behind Rebecca Ghilardi / Filippo Ambrosini of Italy. At the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb, Efimova/Bloomaert finished fifth.[15]

The pair didn't compete at the 2023 German Championships due to Bloomaert coming down with a high fever a couple of days before the event.[16] Regardless, they were still selected to compete at the 2023 European Championships in Espoo, Finland, Efimova/Bloomaert placed third in the short program but fifth in the free skate and dropped to fifth place overall.

Going on to compete at the 2023 World Championships in Saitama, Japan, Efimova/Bloomaert placed seventh in the short program and tenth in the free skate, finishing in tenth place overall.[15]

Bloomaert retired from competitive figure skating following the season, citing a lack of funding from the German Skating Union as one of the main reasons.[17] Meanwhile, Efimova expressed her intention to continue competing with a new figure skating partner.[18][16]

Partnership with Mitrofanov

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2023–24 season

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Upon learning about her split with Blommaert, American pair skater, Misha Mitrofanov, who was looking for a new partner, messaged Efimova on Instagram, asking if she would be interested in having a pair skating tryout with him. Efimova then went on to contact Mitrofanov's longtime coaches, Aleksey Letov and Olga Ganicheva, asking if they would be interested in coaching her, to which they agreed. Following a successful tryout, Efimova moved to Norwood, Massachusetts, to train at the Skating Club of Boston with Mitrofanov. It was announced in June 2023 that the pair team would represent the United States.[19][20]

Following a silver win at the domestic U.S. Pairs Final, Efimova and Mitrofanov qualified for the 2024 U.S. National Championships.[21] At the event, the pair placed fifth in the short program, but won the free skate, allowing them to move up to second place overall.[22]

2024–25 season

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Efimova and Mitrofanov began their season by competing on the 2024–25 ISU Challenger Series. They won the silver medal at the 2024 CS John Nicks Pairs Competition before going on to finish fourth at the 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy.[23][24]

Debuting together on the 2024–25 Grand Prix series, the pair won the bronze medal at 2024 Skate America and finished fourth at the 2024 Grand Prix de France.[23][25]

Programs

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Pair skating with Misha Mitrofanov (for the United States)

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Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2024–25
[26]
  • Ameksa (District 78 Remix)
    by Taalbi Brothers & District 78
  • Uccen (DWTS Remix)
    by Taalbi Brothers
    choreo. by Renée Roca
2023–24
[27][28]
  • Vladimir's Blues
    by Max Richter
  • Tourner dans le vide
    by Indila
    choreo. by Olga Ganicheva

Pair skating with Ruben Blommaert (for Germany)

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Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2022–23
[15]

Pair skating with Alexander Korovin (for Russia)

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Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2019–20
[29]
2018–19
[1]
  • Gypsy Dance
2017–18
[8]
  • Joue Jusqu'au Matin
    by Yoska Nemeth
    choreo. by Julia Goriunova
2016–17
[7]
  • Chilly Cha Cha
    by Jessica Jay
    choreo. by Julia Goriunova
2015–16
  • New York, New York
2014–15

Single skating (for Finland)

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Season Short program Free skating
2013–14
2012–13

Competitive highlights

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Pair skating with Misha Mitrofanov (for the United States)

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Competition placements at senior level [23]
Season 2023–24 2024–25
U.S. Championships 2nd TBD
GP France 4th
GP Skate America 3rd
CS John Nicks Pairs 2nd
CS Nebelhorn Trophy 4th

Pair skating with Ruben Blommaert (for Germany)

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Competition placements at senior level [30]
Season 2021–22 2022–23
World Championships 10th
European Championships 4th
German Championships 2nd
GP Finland 2nd
GP Skate Canada WD
CS Finlandia Trophy 2nd
CS Golden Spin of Zagreb 5th
CS Nebelhorn Trophy 2nd

Pair skating with Alexander Korovin (for Russia)

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Competition placements at senior level [31]
Season 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19 2019–20
Russian Championships 9th 8th 9th 6th 9th
GP Cup of China 8th
GP NHK Trophy 4th
GP Rostelecom Cup 7th 5th
GP Skate America 2nd
CS Finlandia Trophy 2nd
CS Golden Spin of Zagreb 1st
CS Lombardia Trophy 5th
CS Nebelhorn Trophy 1st 7th
CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy 3rd
CS Tallinn Trophy 2nd 2nd
Cup of Tyrol 2nd
Hellmut Seibt Memorial 2nd
Winter Universiade 1st

Single skating (for Finland)

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Competition placements at junior level [32]
Season 2012–13 2013–14
Finnish Championships 13th
Bavarian Open 4th
Dragon Trophy 16th
Tallinn Trophy 19th
Volvo Open Cup 10th

Detailed results

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Pair skating with Misha Mitrofanov

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ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System [23]
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS 191.51 2024 Skate America
Short program TSS 63.44 2024 CS John Nicks Pairs Competition
TES 34.51 2024 CS John Nicks Pairs Competition
PCS 28.93 2024 CS John Nicks Pairs Competition
Free skating TSS 128.46 2024 Skate America
TES 67.50 2024 Skate America
PCS 60.96 2024 Skate America
Results in the 2023–24 season[23]
Date Event SP FS Total
P Score P Score P Score
Jan 22–28, 2024   2024 U.S. Championships 5 60.48 1 126.43 2 186.91
Results in the 2024–25 season[23]
Date Event SP FS Total
P Score P Score P Score
Sep 3–4, 2024   2024 CS John Nicks Pairs Competition 4 63.44 1 125.44 2 188.88
Sep 18–21, 2024   2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy 4 65.03 6 113.00 4 178.03
Oct 18–20, 2024   2024 Skate America 5 63.05 3 128.46 3 191.51
Oct 31 – Nov 3, 2024   2024 Grand Prix de France 4 64.08 4 107.84 4 171.92

Pair skating with Ruben Blommaert

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ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System [33]
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS 186.17 2022 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
Short program TSS 67.05 2022 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
TES 37.79 2022 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
PCS 29.26 2022 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
Free skating TSS 119.23 2023 World Championships
TES 60.72 2023 World Championships
PCS 61.68 2022 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
2021–2022 season
Date Event SP FS Total
December 9–11, 2021 2022 German Championships 2
66.20
2
118.03
2
184.23
2022–2023 season
Date Event SP FS Total
March 22–26, 2023 2023 World Championships 7
65.23
10
119.23
10
184.46
January 25–29, 2023 2023 European Championships 3
62.77
5
110.89
4
173.66
November 25–27, 2022 2022 Grand Prix of Espoo 4
62.46
2
108.29
2
170.75
October 28–30, 2022 2022 Skate Canada International 7
51.49
WD WD
October 4–9, 2022 2022 CS Finlandia Trophy 2
62.54
2
114.57
2
177.11
September 21–24, 2022 2022 CS Nebelhorn Trophy 3
67.05
2
119.12
2
186.17

Pair skating with Alexander Korovin

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ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System [34]
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS 194.28 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy
Short program TSS 69.12 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy
TES 38.97 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy
PCS 30.72 2018 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb
Free skating TSS 125.16 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy
TES 63.82 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy
PCS 61.81 2019 NHK Trophy
ISU personal best scores in the +3/-3 GOE System [34]
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS 171.22 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy
Short program TSS 64.58 2017 CS Tallinn Trophy
TES 37.22 2017 CS Tallinn Trophy
PCS 27.36 2017 CS Tallinn Trophy
Free skating TSS 109.40 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy
TES 55.68 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy
PCS 55.12 2016 CS Tallinn Trophy
2019–2020 season
Date Event SP FS Total
24–29 December 2019 2020 Russian Championships 4
72.83
10
113.14
9
185.97
22–24 November 2019 2019 NHK Trophy 4
64.94
4
124.40
4
189.34
8–10 November 2019 2019 Cup of China 6
63.97
8
106.22
8
170.19
11–13 October 2019 2019 CS Finlandia Trophy 2
69.12
3
125.16
2
194.28
25–28 September 2019 2019 CS Nebelhorn Trophy 8
59.94
7
111.52
7
171.46
2018–2019 season
Date Event SP FS Total
7–9 March 2019 2019 Winter Universiade 2
57.72
1
113.29
1
171.01
19–23 December 2018 2019 Russian Championships 6
70.61
6
129.06
6
199.67
5–8 December 2018 2018 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb 1
65.84
2
118.05
1
183.89
16–18 November 2018 2018 Rostelecom Cup 4
65.46
5
116.16
5
181.62
19–21 October 2018 2018 Skate America 2
62.38
3
116.60
2
178.98
26–29 September 2018 2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy 4
56.42
1
122.52
1
178.94
2017–2018 season
Date Event SP FS Total
21–24 December 2017 2018 Russian Championships 8
63.44
10
113.19
9
176.63
21–26 November 2017 2017 CS Tallinn Trophy 2
64.58
3
98.04
2
162.62
21–23 September 2017 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy 3
61.82
3
109.40
3
171.22
14–17 September 2017 2017 CS Lombardia Trophy 5
56.54
6
104.16
5
160.70
2016–2017 season
Date Event SP FS Total
28 February – 5 March 2017 2017 Cup of Tyrol 2
59.88
2
101.70
2
161.58
20–26 December 2016 2017 Russian Championships 6
63.69
8
112.91
8
176.60
20–27 November 2016 2016 CS Tallinn Trophy 2
57.62
1
103.06
2
160.68
4–6 November 2016 2016 Rostelecom Cup 6
61.27
7
103.80
7
165.07
2015–2016 season
Date Event SP FS Total
23–28 February 2016 2016 Hellmut Seibt Memorial 2
50.21
2
112.26
2
162.47
23–27 December 2015 2016 Russian Championships 11
54.34
9
106.96
9
161.30

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Alisa EFIMOVA / Alexander KOROVIN: 2018/2019". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 28 September 2018.
  2. ^ Efimova, Alisa. "14". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Alisa Efimova ja Marina Shirsova eivät luistele äidin ja tyttären rooleista". Skating Finland (in Finnish). November 15, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c "Alisa Efimova / Misha Mitrofanov". U.S. Figure Skating Zone. U.S. Figure Skating Zone. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  5. ^ Алиса Борисовна Ефимова [Alisa Borisovna Efimova]. fskate.ru (in Russian).
  6. ^ Алиса Ефимова – Александр Коровин: «Мы очень обрадовались, что будем выступать на этапе Гран-при в Москве» [Alisa Efimova - Alexander Korovin: "We are very happy to skate at the Rostelecom"] (in Russian). Russian Figure Skating Federation. 4 November 2016.
  7. ^ a b "Alisa EFIMOVA / Alexander KOROVIN: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017.
  8. ^ a b "Alisa EFIMOVA / Alexander KOROVIN: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 3 May 2018.
  9. ^ Slater, Paula (November 23, 2019). "Sui and Han reign at NHK Trophy". Golden Skate.
  10. ^ Flade, Tatjana (December 26, 2019). "Tarasova and Morozov dazzle in Pairs' Short Program at Russian Nationals". Golden Skate.
  11. ^ Flade, Tatjana (December 27, 2019). "Boikova and Kozlovskii capture first national title in pairs". Golden Skate.
  12. ^ Efimova, Alisa. "Parting Ways". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  13. ^ Efimova, Alisa. "The Road". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  14. ^ Bloomaert, Ruben. "Death Spiral". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  15. ^ a b c d e f "Alisa EFIMOVA / Ruben BLOMMAERT: 2022/2023". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 13 March 2023.
  16. ^ a b c ""The main argument, as Ruben put it, was that "fun is more important to me than results." And he stopped getting joy from training." Alisa Efimova about the breakup of their pair with Ruben Blommaert". FS Gossips. FS Gossips. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  17. ^ Bloomaert, Ruben. "Retirement". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  18. ^ ""When Ruben started to waver, the coaches brought in a psychologist and hoped that it would help. But, alas!" Alisa Efimova about the breakup of their pair with Ruben Blommaert". FS Gossips. FS Gossips. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  19. ^ "Championship Pairs Free Skate - Press Conference - 2024 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  20. ^ "Figure skater Alisa Efimova will compete for the United States". Athletistic. Athletistic. Retrieved 8 August 2023.
  21. ^ "2024 Pacific Coast Sectional Singles and U.S. Pair". U.S. Figure Skating. U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  22. ^ "2024 Prevagen U.S. Figure Skating Championships - Pairs Results". U.S. Figure Skating. U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  23. ^ a b c d e f "USA–Elisa Efimova/Misha Mitrofanov". SkatingScores.
  24. ^ "2024 John Nicks Pairs Challenge - Senior Results". U.S. Figure Skating. U.S. Figure Skating. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  25. ^ "Alisa EFIMOVA / Misha MITROFANOV: Competition Results". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  26. ^ "Alisa EFIMOVA / Misha MITROFANOV: 2024/2025". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 4 September 2024.
  27. ^ "Alisa Efimova / Misha Mitrofanov 2024 US Nationals Short Program". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  28. ^ "2024 US Pairs Free Alisa Efimova & Misha Mitrofano". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  29. ^ "Alisa EFIMOVA / Alexander KOROVIN: 2019/2020". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 27 September 2019.
  30. ^ "GER–Elisa Efimova/Ruben Blommaert". SkatingScores.
  31. ^ "RUS–Elisa Efimova/Alexander Korovin". SkatingScores.
  32. ^ "FIN–Elisa Efimova". SkatingScores.
  33. ^ "Couple Records Alisa Efimova / Ruben Blommaert". International Skating Union.
  34. ^ a b "Couple Records Alisa Efimova / Alexander Korovin". International Skating Union.
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