The ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2017 opened in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on Wednesday with the Ladies and Pairs Short Programs. The ISU European Figure Skating Championships are held in Ostrava for the first time in history. 166 skaters from 33 ISU members have been entered for the Championships. Skaters/couples need to have obtained a minimum total technical score in Short Program and Free Skating in order to compete at the European Championships. Three reigning European Champions are back and hope to defend their title.
Evgenia Medvedeva (RUS) takes Ladies Short Program
Russia’s defending champion Evgenia Medvedeva took the lead in the Ladies Short Program ahead of her teammate Anna Pogorilaya. Carolina Kostner of Italy came third.
Performing to “River Flows In You” and “Winter”, Medvedeva hit a triple flip-triple toe combination, triple loop, double Axel as well as level-four spins and footwork. The reigning European and World Champion scored 78.92 points, slightly below her own record score. “I didn’t get a seasons best and I expected the score to be a little bit higher, but it is a good, a high score. The free program is a new game and I’ll try my best”, the Grand Prix Final Champion said.
Pogorilaya’s program to “Scent of a woman” featured a triple Lutz-triple toeloop, a triple loop, double Axel as well as strong spins footwork. The reigning World bronze medalist set a new personal best for herself with 74.39 points. “It was the best program of this season, but it does not mean that it was perfect. I made some small mistakes and have to work on them. All the small details in the program are important – gestures, emotions, artistry, so there is lots of room for improvement”, the two-time European bronze medalist commented.
Kostner produced a triple toe-triple toe combination, triple loop, double Axel in her routine to “God of Thunder” and “Bonzo’s Montreux”. The five-time European Champion earned a level four for her flying camel spin and the step sequence to set a season’s best of 72.40 points. “There are things that I did really well and others things I could have done better. I am especially happy about dealing with nervousness, in between being happy to be here and containing the emotions. This gives me confidence to continue on this journey”, said the 2014 Olympic bronze medalist who had not competed the past two seasons.
Maria Sotskova (RUS) placed fourth with a strong performance that included a triple Lutz-triple toe combination at 72.17 points. Laurine Lecavelier (FRA) in fifth (63.81 points) and Ivett Toth (HUN) in sixth place (61.49 points) turned in clean performances as well. 34 Ladies competed in the Short Program and the top 24 qualified for the Free Skating on Friday.
The ISU European Figure Skating Championships continue Wednesday with the Pairs Short Program. For more information, full entry lists and results please see: www.isu.org and the official event website http://ostrava2017.eu/en/. #EuroFigure