Savchenko/Massot teamed up in spring 2014. They are the first German Pair skaters to win Olympic gold since Ria Baran/Paul Falk in 1952 and the first German figure skaters to win Olympic gold since Katarina Witt in 1988. Savchenko is a five-time World Champion (2008, 2009, 2011, 2012, 2014), and two-time Olympic bronze medallist (2010, 2014) with former partner Robin Szolkowy, who retired from competitive skating following the 2013/14 season. Massot moved to Germany to team up with Savchenko. He received German citizenship in December 2017. Savchenko got married to Liam Cross in August 2016. Coach Alexander König is the 1988 European bronze medalist in Pair Skating (with Peggy Schwarz). The couple had to withdraw from the 2016 Grand Prix Final and 2017 National Championships as Savchenko had suffered an ankle injury at Trophee de France.The couple missed the 2018 European Championships as she had a foot injury.