Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) in the Men's Short Program at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships at Espoo © ISU
Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) skated to a confident lead as the ISU European Figure Skating Championships continued Wednesday in Espoo (FIN) with the Men’s Short Program.
Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) leads with 10 points to spare
Adam Siao Him Fa of France leads the Men after the Short Program with 10 points to spare. Italy’s Matteo Rizzo came second, ahead of Deniss Vasiljevs of Latvia.
Siao Him Fa hit a quad toe-triple toe, quad Salchow, triple Axel and collected a level four for his spins and footwork in his dramatic routine to “Rain, In Your Black Eyes” by Ezio Bosso. The French Champion set a new personal best of 96.53 points.
“I am really happy about my performance today; it is my first clean short program of the season in an international competition. So I am very satisfied with my work together with my team.
“I was very stressed in the beginning, but when the program started I breathed in deep and felt very calm,” the Grand Prix de France Champion said.
Skating to “Le parole lontane” and “Zitti e buoni” by Maneskin, Rizzo landed a quad toe-double toe combination and a triple Axel. He went for a quad loop, but it was wobbly and underrotated. The 2019 European bronze medalist picked up a level four for two spins and a season’s best of 86.46 points.
Matteo Rizzo (ITA) in the Men's Short Program at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships, Espoo © ISU
“It was very hard for me, because the short program is always like a big wall that I need to crush. But I'm in a good position for Friday, that was the most important part for me.
“In the free program I want to skate as best as I can, that is my goal,” Rizzo concluded.
Vasiljevs’ expressive routine to “Englishman in New York” featured a triple flip, triple Axel, a triple Lutz-triple toe combination, as well as level-four spins. However, the back end of the combination was underrotated. The 2022 European bronze medalist posted a season’s best of 84.81 points.
Deniss Vasiljevs of Latvia in the Men's Short Program at Espoo © ISU
“I wasn't defending anything. I was skating for my own joy. I was skating for myself, first and foremost, to surpass myself as an athlete and as a performer,” Vasiljevs said.
“I was skating for the crowd, for the people, for the judges, for everyone who was watching it online. I wasn't fighting, defending, or doing anything of that sort. I was enjoying the moment in its fullest, trying to take it with a mindful approach.”
Kevin Aymoz (FRA) landed a quad toe, but singled his Axel to finish fourth at 83.75 points. Lukas Britschgi (SUI) came fifth (79.26 points) while Vladimir Samoilov (POL) ranked sixth at 78.26 points. 2022 European silver medalist Daniel Grassl (ITA) doubled his Lutz and currently sits in eighth position (77.03 points).
Following the IOC recommendation and in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus (see ISU Communication 2469).
Schedule of the event
The schedule of the European Figure Skating Championships is as follows:
Wednesday, January 25: Pairs & Men’s Short Programs
Thursday, January 26: Women’s Short Program, Pairs Free Skating
Friday, January 27: Rhythm Dance & Men’s Free Skating
Saturday, January 28: Women’s Free Skating & Free Dance
Sunday, January 29: Exhibition Gala
For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page and the official website. Follow the discussion on social media using #EuroFigure and #FigureSkating.
Where to watch the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2023:
The ISU European Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.
Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.
Stay connected with the ISU:
ISU website: ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2023
ISU Newsletter: Subscribe to our weekly Newsletter to get the latest news and press releases
.png)
