Kazakhstani figure skater Mikhail Shaidorov has been training in the U.S. since June 5. Nearly three weeks into the trip, the athlete shared a series of photos from California. Kursiv LifeStyle took a closer look at some of the iconic locations featured in his posts.
In late May, Shaidorov’s preparations for the upcoming season were thrown into uncertainty after he and his team reportedly went four months without receiving salaries from Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Tourism and Sport. When the skater spoke publicly about the issue, he was met with a wave of criticism from some commenters. However, many athletes and public figures voiced support for his position. The dispute was eventually resolved.
On June 1, Vice Minister of Sport Serik Zharasbayev announced that Shaidorov would prepare for the new season in the U.S. In early June, the skater shared an Instagram Story showing him standing at the entrance to Great Park Ice in Irvine, California, one of the country’s leading facilities for figure skating and ice hockey.
At Great Park Ice, Shaidorov is training under renowned coach Rafael Arutyunyan. A selfie with Arutyunyan was among the first photos he shared from the training camp. Arutyunyan also coaches Kazakh figure skater Sofia Samodelkina.
Despite his busy training schedule, Shaidorov has also found time to explore Los Angeles. He posted photos taken along the Pacific coast, in front of the Hollywood Sign, and near the fountain at The Americana at Brand, which is known for its «Spirit of American Youth» statue.
Earlier this year, Shaidorov revealed plans for his own project in Almaty, where he intends to stage an ice show in December.
