In the 1996–97 season, Lautowa won her first senior international title at the Karl Schäfer Memorial. Appearing in the inaugural Champions Series (later known as the Grand Prix series), she placed fourth at the 1996 Skate America and was awarded the silver medal at the 1996 Cup of Russia. She also appeared twice on the junior level, placing sixth (12th in the short program, third in the free skate) at the 1997 Junior Worlds in Seoul, South Korea, and taking silver at the 1997 European Youth Olympic Festival in Sundsvall, Sweden. She finished 16th at the 1997 European Championships in Paris and 8th at the 1997 World Championships in Lausanne, having placed 5th in her qualifying group, 11th in the short, and 6th in the free.