Graz, Austria

#EuroFigure      #FigureSkating

 

 

Alena Kostornaia led the way for the Russian “triple A team” in the Ladies Short Program at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Graz (AUT) on Friday and was the only Lady to go for a triple Axel. Anna Shcherbakova and Alexandra Trusova follow in second and third place.

Alena KOSTORNAIA RUS Ladies SP EFSC2020©International Skating Union (ISU) 1201693442

Alena KOSTORNAIA (RUS) at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)

Kostornaia opened her expressive program to “Departure” and “November” with a triple Axel and followed up with a triple Lutz, triple flip-triple toe and exquisite spins and footwork. The ISU Grand Prix Final Champion scored 84.02 points. “I’m not really (satisfied). I skated clean, I did all my elements but I would love to improve with every competition and it seems I went down,” the 16-year-old commented. “I’m skating my short program for the second season and of course as far as I’m growing the program is growing with me. I can interpret the character better. But the character itself is still the same. It is an angel who came to earth and got a chance to return back in the end of the story,” she continued.

Anna SHCHERBAKOVA RUS Ladies SP EFSC2020©International Skating Union (ISU) 1201693501

Alena KOSTORNAIA (RUS) at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)

Shcherbakova’s delicate performance to “The Perfume” soundtrack featured a double Axel, triple flip, triple Lutz-triple loop combination and she picked up a level for her spins and footwork like her teammates. The Russian Champion earned 77.95 points. “I was nervous, am glad I overcame that and did my elements. Indeed it feels like something that is behind and now I have to set myself to tomorrow,” the ISU Grand Prix Final silver medalist said. “I love my short program - the music, the story behind and I love skating it. The coaches help me to become a part of the character and project the music. Am glad I improve every competition.” 

Alexandra TRUSOVA RUS Ladies SP EFSC2020©International Skating Union (ISU) 1201693279

Alexandra TRUSOVA (RUS) at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2020©International Skating Union (ISU)

Trusova wobbled on her opening double Axel but recovered to land a triple flip and triple Lutz-triple toeloop combination to notch 74.95 points. “My coaches explained me what the error on the double Axel was. The double Axel is an easy jump and I want to do a triple Axel so badly,” the two-time World Junior Champion shared. “It (the triple Axel) is not yet recovered completely after the New Year break, I sometimes land it, but not always. I haven’t yet competed after the New Year and it will have to wait.”

Alexia Paganini (SUI) came fourth with a personal best performance of 68.82 points. Emmi Peltonen (FIN) sits in fifth with another clean performance and 66.49 points. Ekaterina Ryabova (AZE) turned in a solid skate to finish sixth (62.22 points).

Event Schedule

The schedule of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2020 is as follows:

Friday, January 24:                 Ladies Short Program, Pairs Free Skating

Saturday, January 25:            Free Dance, Ladies Free Skating

Sunday, January 26:               Exhibition Gala

Where to watch and follow the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2020?

isu youtube livestream 2019

Viewers will be able to watch either via their national broadcaster / channel and for countries where there are no broadcasters, the ISU will offer a live stream on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.

Subscribe to the ISU Newsletter or Press Releases to receive the latest information and the “Where to Watch” news. You can also subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive notifications when live streams start or new videos are published.

Highlights, clips, interviews, behind the scenes:

YouTube: SkatingISU

IG: @ISUFigureSkating

Facebook: @ISU Figure Skating

Twitter: @ISU_Figure

Follow the conversation with #EuroFigure and #FigureSkating

For more information, full entry lists and results please see the ISU website and the official event website.