The 2015 ISU European Figure Skating Championships continued in Stockholm, Sweden, on Thursday with the Ladies Short Program.
Elena Radionova (RUS) captures Ladies Short Program
Elena Radionova led a Russian sweep in the Ladies Short Program, followed by her teammates Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Anna Pogorilaya.
Radionova’s program to “Ain’t It Funny” by Jennifer Lopez and a Flamenco featured a triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination, triple loop, double Axel as well as three level-four spins and level-three footwork. The Russian Champion achieved a new personal best score with 70.46 points. “The short program was completely successful, now it all comes down to the free program. The feeling I got was just amazing, something wonderful. I loved it, I loved to be able to do what I can do”, the two-time World Junior Champion commented.
Performing to “Bolero”, Tuktamysheva hit a triple toe-triple toe combination, a triple Lutz, double Axel and picked up a level four for two spins. The ISU Grand Prix Final Champion earned 69.02 points, another personal best score. “I was happy with how my jumps went, but, I don't know if you noticed it, I wasn't as emotional in the short program as I wanted it to have been. The music was quiet and so I hope we can fix it for the free program”, the 18-year-old said.
Pogorilaya landed a triple Lutz-triple toe, triple loop and double Axel in her program to “Adagio” by Il Divo, but the combination spin merited only a level two. The 16-year-old scored 66.10 points. “My performance today was really rich and easy and light. It went by in one breath. I need to look again at the spins though. But it felt like the easiest skate for me and I hope I can skate even better in the free program”, the Skate Canada Champion noted.
Three-time European medalist Kiira Korpi (FIN) who had missed the past two European Championships due to injury came back with a solid performance and currently sits in fourth with 60.60 points. Swedish sisters Viktoria and Joshi Helgesson placed fifth and sixth (60.37 and 59.55 points respectively).
The ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2015 continue today with the Free Dance.