# Nikita Volodin

Nikita Andreyevich Volodin is a German professional pair skater. With his partner, Minerva Fabienne Hase, they are the 2024 World Championship bronze medalists, the 2023–24 Grand Prix Final champions, three-time Grand Prix gold medalists, and two-time German national champions.
With former partner, Alina Ustimkina, they were the 2016 Tallinn Trophy champions and 2016 Youth Olympic bronze medalists.

## Personal life

Nikita Andreyevich Volodin was born on 29 June 1999 in Saint Petersburg, Russia.

## Career

Volodin began skating in 2003.

### Partnership with Ustimkina

Volodin and Alina Ustimkina debuted their partnership in September 2014. They competed at events within Russia during their first season together and began appearing internationally in the 2015–16 season. In August 2015, they were sent to Riga, Latvia to compete at their first ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP) assignment, placing fifth. In November, they won the junior gold medal at the NRW Trophy, outscoring silver medalists Anna Dušková / Martin Bidař by 19.22 points.
In January 2016, Ustimkina/Volodin placed fifth at the Russian Junior Championships. In February, they represented Russia at the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics in Hamar, Norway. Ranked third in both segments, they were awarded the bronze medal behind Ekaterina Borisova / Dmitry Sopot and Dušková/Bidař. Assigned to Team Determination for the mixed NOC team event, Ustimkina/Volodin placed third in their segment and their team finished eighth.
Ustimkina and Volodin ended their partnership in late 2017.

### Partnership with Atakhanova

Volodin and Amina Atakhanova teamed up in early 2018, coached by Alexei Sokolov in Saint Petersburg. In April 2018, they won gold at the Russian Youth Championships Elder Age. Their partnership ended following that season. Following this, Volodin did approach Russian women's singles skater, Evgenia Medvedeva, asking if she was interested in trying to pair skating with him but she declined his offer.

### Partnership with Hase

In June 2022, Volodin was introduced by coach, Dmitri Savin, to German pair skater, Minerva Fabienne Hase, whose long partnership with Nolan Seegert had ended following the 2022 Winter Olympics. Agreeing to skate together and represent her country, they trained through the 2022–23 season while waiting for Volodin to be released by the Figure Skating Federation of Russia. Initially, the pair were unable to communicate due to Volodin being unable to speak German nor English at the time. Savin would thus act as the team's translator until Volodin learned to speak English well enough to interact with Hase.
Volodin was released by the Russian federation in May 2022. It was subsequently announced that the pair would train in Berlin Germany with coaches, Rico Rex and Knut Schubert. In addition, Savin would continue working with the pair by acting as their coach at international competitions.

#### 2023–24 season

Hase/Volodin debuted as a team at the 2023 CS Lombardia Trophy, where they won the silver medal behind reigning Italian European champions Conti/Macii, and finishing ahead of domestic rivals Hocke/Kunkel. Hase said it felt "so good to be back and even be on the podium in our first competition." They went on to win a Challenger gold medal on home soil at the 2023 CS Nebelhorn Trophy, after coming back from placing third in the short program.
Hase/Volodin made their senior Grand Prix debut at the 2023 Grand Prix of Espoo. They placed third in the short program behind Shanghai Trophy champions Peng/Wang and Conti/Macii after an error on their throw triple loop, but won the free skate despite jump errors and rose to take the gold medal. Hase admitted that the result felt "very lucky," but that it was "a special moment for both of us." They went on to win the 2023 NHK Trophy as well, improving on all their personal bests in the process and qualifying to the Grand Prix Final as the second seed.
Volodin having become ill following the NHK Trophy, the team was uncertain of their ability to compete. Returning to China for the Final, held in Beijing, they performed their first full run-through since the NHK Trophy in training. Hase/Volodin set a new personal best score to win the short program narrowly over Canadians Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps and Italians Conti/Macii. They finished second in the free skate behind Conti/Macii, but won the gold medal by 0.55 points over the Italian team. Hase said they were "overwhelmed."
Hase became ill following the German Championships, as a result of which the team had only ten days of training prior to the 2024 European Championships in Kaunas. They entered as perceived favourites, finishing second in the short program. They had an error-riddled free skate, culminating in an aborted lift, that saw them place sixth in the segment and drop to fifth place overall. This was the team's first time missing the podium in competition. Hase said that they "have to appreciate what we have already achieved this season," and vowed that they would get used to the pressure of being the favourites.
Following the disappointment at the European Championships, Hase/Volodin performed in the Art on Ice skating show, which they would later credit with aiding them with performing in front of large audiences. At the 2024 World Championships, they placed fourth in the short program, 0.78 points behind Conti/Macii in third place. Despite Hase making a Salchow error in the free skate, they came third in that segment, and rose to third overall to claim the bronze medal. This was the first World medal for both, and the first for a German skater since Savchenko/Massot's gold medal in 2018. Volodin said that "I can't believe at the moment that I won a medal at the real world championships. Maybe after some time."

### 2024–25 season

Hase/Volodin started the season by winning gold at the 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy, defeating reigning World Champions, Stellato-Dudek/Deschamps, and scoring personal bests in all competition segments. They went on to compete at the 2024 Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur, however after completing the short program segment, the senior pairs free skate event was cancelled due to poor weather conditions. Hase/Volodin were awarded the gold medal based on their short program result.
Going on to compete on the 2024–25 Grand Prix circuit, the team won the gold medal at the 2024 Grand Prix de France. Following the event, Volodin shared, "We came here knowing it was possible to win. We are glad we could show a good performance again and proved that Nebelhorn Trophy was not a one-hit-wonder. We are glad we could show consistency and the win is of course very nice." Volodin added, "We try not to think too much about the fact that we won the bronze at Worlds last season, this is a new fresh season." Three weeks later, prior to the pairs short program at the 2024 Cup of China, Hase would suffer with food poisoning. Despite this, the pair would go on to complete their short program, finishing second in that segment behind Conti/Macii due to Volodin taking an unexpected fall during the step sequence. The following day, Hase/Volodin would put forth a strong free skate performance, winning that segment of the competition. Hase/Volodin would finish second overall to Conti/Macii. Following the event, Hase said, "We are relieved, really just relieved. This was a hard work, like this program was hard work from beginning to the end. So, I’m really happy with what we did today. I’m just dead. I’m happy it’s done now, that I can like chill now a little bit."
Qualifying for the 2024–25 Grand Prix Final, Hase/Volodin delivered to solid performances in an event that was otherwise riddled with costly errors by the other pair teams, allowing them to win the event for a second consecutive time and by almost twelve points. Following this win, Hase said, "We are incredibly happy. Winning this year was much more difficult than last year. Last year there were no expectations but this year we felt much more pressure." Two weeks later, Hase/Volodin won their second national title at the 2025 German Championships.

## Programs
### With Hase

| Season | Short program | Free skating | Exhibition |
| 2024–2025 | You Were Mine by Tami Neilson choreo. by Paul Boll & Mark Pillay | The Four Seasons by Antonio Vivaldi The Four Seasons, Concerto No. 4 in F Minor, RV 297, "Winter" The Four Seasons - Summer (Re:scored) performed by London Music Works choreo. by Paul Boll & Mark Pillay | Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paloma Faith choreo. by Benoît Richaud The Winner Takes It All by ABBA Always Remember Us This Way (from A Star Is Born) by Lady Gaga choreo. by Paul Boll When a Man Loves a Woman by Michael Bolton |
| 2023–2024 | Stay by Rihanna & Mikky Ekko choreo. by Paul Boll & Mark Pillay | The Path of Silence The Power of Mind by Anne-Sophie Versnaeyen, Gabriel Saban & Phillipe Briand choreo. by Paul Boll & Mark Pillay | When a Man Loves a Woman by Michael Bolton Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man choreo. by Paul Boll |

### With Atakhanova

| Season | Short program | Free skating |
| 2018–2019 | Feel It Still | Larrons en foire by Raphael Beau Micmacs (soundtrack) by Max Steiner |
| 2017–2018 | Feel It Still | unknown |

### With Ustimkina

| Season | Short program | Free skating |
| 2017–2018 | Vertigogo by Combustible Edison | Aria by Balanescu Quartet |
| 2016–2017 | Mad Max: Fury Road by Junkie XL | Aria by Balanescu Quartet |
| 2015–2016 | Code Name Vivaldi by The Piano Guys | Dance For Me, Wallis (from W.E.) by Abel Korzeniowski |

## Competitive highlights

* GP – Event of the ISU Grand Prix Series
* JGP – Event of the ISU Junior Grand Prix Series
* CS – Event of the ISU Challenger Series
* WD – Withdrew from competition

### Pair skating with Minerva Fabienne Hase (for Germany)

Competition placements at senior level :
| Season | 2023–24 | 2024–25 |
| World Championships | 3rd | TBD |
| European Championships | 5th | 1st |
| Grand Prix Final | 1st | 1st |
| German Championships | 1st | 1st |
| GP Cup of China | | 2nd |
| GP Finland | 1st | |
| GP France | | 1st |
| GP NHK Trophy | 1st | |
| CS Lombardia Trophy | 2nd | |
| CS Nebelhorn Trophy | 1st | 1st |
| Budapest Trophy | 1st | |
| Trophée Métropole Nice | | 1st |

### Pair skating with Taisiia Sobinina (for Russia)

Competition placements at junior level :
| Season | 2019–20 |
| Russian Championships (Senior) | 11th S |
| Russian Championships (Junior) | 6th |
| Volvo Open Cup | 4th |

### Pair skating with Alina Ustimkina (for Russia)

Competition placements at senior level :
| Season | 2016–17 | 2017–18 |
| Russian Championships | WD | |
| CS Ice Star | | 5th |
| CS Tallinn Trophy | 1st | |
Competition placements at junior level :
| Season | 2015–16 | 2016–17 |
| Winter Youth Olympics | 3rd | |
| Winter Youth Olympics (Team event) | 8th | |
| World Junior Championships | | 6th |
| Junior Grand Prix Final | | 4th |
| Russian Championships | 5th | 3rd |
| JGP Estonia | | 2nd |
| JGP Germany | | 3rd |
| JGP Latvia | 5th | |
| NRW Trophy | 1st | |

## Detailed results
### Pair skating with Minerva Fabienne Hase (for Germany)

ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System :
| Segment | Type | Score | Event |
| Total | TSS | 218.44 | 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy |
| Short program | TSS | 73.94 | 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy |
| Short program | TES | 40.03 | 2023–24 Grand Prix Final |
| Short program | PCS | 34.06 | 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy |
| Free skating | TSS | 144.50 | 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy |
| Free skating | TES | 75.22 | 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy |
| Free skating | PCS | 70.19 | 2025 European Championships |
* Small medals for the short program and free skating are only awarded at ISU Championships.
Results in the 2023–24 season :
| Date | Event | SP | SP | FS | FS | Total | Total |
| Date | Event | P | Score | P | Score | P | Score |
| Sep 8–10, 2023 | 2023 CS Lombardia Trophy | 3 | 66.22 | 2 | 128.30 | 2 | 194.52 |
| Sep 20–23, 2023 | 2023 CS Nebelhorn Trophy | 3 | 62.85 | 1 | 132.11 | 1 | 194.96 |
| Oct 13–15, 2023 | 2023 Budapest Trophy | 2 | 62.51 | 1 | 133.73 | 1 | 196.24 |
| Nov 17–19, 2023 | 2023 Grand Prix of Espoo | 3 | 63.59 | 1 | 129.13 | 1 | 192.72 |
| Nov 24–26, 2023 | 2023 NHK Trophy | 1 | 67.23 | 1 | 135.28 | 1 | 202.51 |
| Dec 7–10, 2023 | 2023–24 Grand Prix Final | 1 | 72.56 | 2 | 133.87 | 1 | 206.43 |
| Dec 14–16, 2023 | 2024 German Championships | 1 | 77.38 | 1 | 141.39 | 1 | 218.77 |
| Jan 8–14, 2024 | 2024 European Championships | 2 | 69.63 | 6 | 121.06 | 5 | 190.69 |
| Mar 18–24, 2024 | 2024 World Championships | 4 | 72.10 | 3 | 138.30 | 3 | 210.40 |
Results in the 2024–25 season :
| Date | Event | SP | SP | FS | FS | Total | Total |
| Date | Event | P | Score | P | Score | P | Score |
| Sep 19–21, 2024 | 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy | 1 | 73.94 | 1 | 144.50 | 1 | 218.44 |
| Oct 16–20, 2024 | 2024 Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur | 1 | 71.66 | — | — | 1 | 71.66 |
| Nov 1–3, 2024 | 2024 Grand Prix de France | 1 | 73.72 | 1 | 137.97 | 1 | 211.69 |
| Nov 22–24, 2024 | 2024 Cup of China | 2 | 68.44 | 1 | 140.92 | 2 | 209.36 |
| Dec 5–8, 2024 | 2024–25 Grand Prix Final | 1 | 76.72 | 1 | 141.38 | 1 | 218.10 |
| Dec 16–21, 2024 | 2025 German Championships | 1 | 70.35 | 1 | 129.18 | 1 | 199.53 |
| Jan 28 – Feb 2, 2025 | 2025 European Championships | 1 | 71.59 | 1 | 140.89 | 1 | 212.48 |
Note: The senior pairs free skate at the 2024 Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur was cancelled on account of inclement weather. It was later announced that the short program results would be considered as the final results for the competition.

### Pair skating with Alina Ustimkina

ISU personal best scores in the +3/-3 GOE System :
| Segment | Type | Score | Event |
| Total | TSS | 167.78 | 2016 CS Tallinn Trophy |
| Short program | TSS | 65.64 | 2016 CS Tallinn Trophy |
| Short program | TES | 37.64 | 2016 CS Tallinn Trophy |
| Short program | PCS | 28.00 | 2016 CS Tallinn Trophy |
| Free skating | TSS | 102.14 | 2016 CS Tallinn Trophy |
| Free skating | TES | 52.04 | 2016 JGP Estonia |
| Free skating | PCS | 53.92 | 2016 CS Tallinn Trophy |
2017–18 season :
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| 26–29 October 2017 | 2017 CS Minsk-Arena Ice Star | Senior | 5 50.26 | 5 86.70 | 5 136.96 |
| 2016–17 season ||||||
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| 15–19 March 2017 | 2017 World Junior Championships | Junior | 4 54.63 | 6 91.06 | 6 145.69 |
| 1–5 February 2017 | 2017 Russian Junior Championships | Junior | 5 61.73 | 2 110.83 | 3 172.56 |
| 20–26 December 2016 | 2017 Russian Championships | Senior | 10 55.35 | WD | WD |
| 8–11 December 2016 | 2016−17 JGP Final | Junior | 3 59.05 | 4 99.09 | 4 158.14 |
| 20–27 November 2016 | 2016 CS Tallinn Trophy | Senior | 1 65.64 | 2 102.14 | 1 167.78 |
| 5–9 October 2016 | 2016 JGP Germany | Junior | 2 59.34 | 4 95.92 | 3 155.26 |
| 28 September – 2 October 2016 | 2016 JGP Estonia | Junior | 2 57.31 | 2 99.64 | 2 156.95 |
| 2015–16 season ||||||
| Date | Event | Level | SP | FS | Total |
| 12–21 February 2016 | 2016 Winter Youth Olympics - Team Event | Junior | - | 3 100.98 | 8 |
| 12–21 February 2016 | 2016 Winter Youth Olympics | Junior | 3 56.38 | 3 96.39 | 3 152.77 |
| 19–23 January 2016 | 2016 Russian Junior Championships | Junior | 9 51.24 | 4 104.27 | 5 155.51 |
| 24–29 November 2015 | 2015 NRW Trophy | Junior | 2 49.64 | 1 93.10 | 1 142.74 |
| 26–30 August 2015 | 2015 JGP Latvia | Junior | 4 46.78 | 6 75.33 | 5 122.11 |