Katia and Jonathan have known each other for four years, first meeting at a summer camp in Moscow when Jonathan and his former partner joined a training group that Katia and her former partner were part of.

They spent two years as rivals, until the summer of 2006 when their coaches, Elena Kustarova and Svetlana Alexeeva, suggested they have a try out together. Kustarova and Alexeeva felt they would be better suited to each other, than with their then partners.

From the moment they started skating together, they felt a certain oneness which helped them to adapt more quickly and in turn, they were able to make great progress in a short amount of time. After three weeks together, they began working on their first two programs. Later, they were fortunate enough to be invited to the Russian National summer camp were it was decided they would be selected to compete at a junior grand prix event.

From that point on, they have been working hard and enjoying each others company.