Tiiu Valgemäe, a seasoned figure skating coach from Estonia, continues to passionately dedicate herself to the sport at the age of 78, showing no signs of slowing down. Valgemäe's journey in figure skating began in her childhood on the tennis courts of Kadriorg and eventually took her across borders to Belarus as an athlete. After spending two decades in Finland, she returned to Estonia to continue nurturing new talents in the world of figure skating.

Throughout her illustrious career, Valgemäe has coached numerous top athletes both from Estonia and abroad. Among them is the two-time Estonian national champion Gerli Liinamäe, whom she guided towards significant competitions, as well as Finnish skater Elina Kettunen, who achieved fifth place at the European Championships under Valgemäe's coaching. Currently, she is training 16-year-old Maria Eliise Kaljuvere, who has already made a mark by becoming the junior national champion and is preparing to compete at the World Championships in March.

In her recent interview, Valgemäe shared insights not only about her dedication to coaching but also highlighted the importance of ensuring that the goals set for athletes align with those of their parents. She humorously recounted the beginnings of Kaljuvere's collaboration with male singles competitors, revealing her commitment to fostering relationships within the sport that contribute to athletes’ growth and success. This focus on communication between athletes and their families underscores the collaborative nature of figure skating, where support and understanding are paramount for reaching competitive heights.