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Olympic silver medalists Gabriella Papadakis/Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) tangoed into the lead as the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2019 continued in Minsk (BLR) Friday. Russia’s Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin came second, followed closely by Italians Charlene Guignard/ Marco Fabbri.

Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron (FRA) at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

Dancing to “Oblivion” and “Primavera Porteno” by Astor Piazzolla, Papadakis/Cizeron delivered a smooth performance that included a level-four curve lift and level-four Tango pattern. The midline step sequence and the first Tango pattern were graded a level two, the twizzels were a level four for her and a level three for him. The four-time European Champions scored 84.79 points, slightly surpassing their previous season’s best. “It all went really well. We are proud indeed of what we have done. Technique wise it was on point as well,” Papadakis noted. “We were really concentrated on all the technical elements that we’ve been working on. Indeed it’s only the second competition of our season. For me it didn’t feel like it was the best performance that we could show, but it’s interesting to know that even if we’re not at 100% we can still deliver,” Cizeron explained.

Alexandra Stepanova/Ivan Bukin (RUS) at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

Stepanova/Bukin put out a passionate Paso Doble and Tango to “Carmen Story”, collecting a level four for the second Tango Romantica pattern, the twizzles and the curve lift to post a new season’s best of 81.37 points. “Ice dance is to us when you show your emotions, your theatre, your show and the technical part at the same time. This is what is our sport is about. We’re very happy to have surpassed the 80 points, especially at such a competition as the European Championship,” Stepanova shared.

Charlene Guignard/ Marco Fabbri (ITA) at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2019©International Skating Union (ISU)

Guignard/Fabbri’s dance to the Tango pieces “Miedo a la Libertad”, “La Chanson des vieux amants” and “Tanos” was highlighted by an unique stationary lift and a precise Tango pattern. The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final bronze medalist scored 79.05 points, which was a season’s best for them. “I think we skated our best performance. Scores don’t always tell the truth. Sometimes you feel you skated better but you get less. Sometimes you feel you didn’t skate that well and you get more points. This time we felt we skated our best. The best rhythm dance of the season and the best score so it’s great,” Fabbri told the press.

Natalia Kaliszek/Maksym Spodyriev (POL) came fourth with a strong performance to “Tango Passion” on 72.87 points. ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final silver medalists Victoria Sinitsina/Nikita Katsalapov (RUS) are currently sitting in fifth after Katsalapov fell on the twizzle series while his partner stumbled (70.24 points). Olivia Smart/Adrian Diaz (ESP) placed sixth on 70.02 points.