Loena Hendrickx (BEL) in the Women's Free Skating at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Kaunas (LTU) © ISU
Loena Hendrickx (BEL) made history once more and won the first ISU European Figure Skating title in Single Skating for Belgium - and the first European title for her country since 1947 - as the ISU European Figure Skating Championships continued in Kaunas (LTU) Saturday.
Loena Hendrickx (BEL) has star power in Kaunas
Top favorite Loena Hendrickx of Belgium shone golden on the ice and made history again, winning the first ISU European Figure Skating title for her country and the first for Belgium since 1947. Georgia’s defending Champions Anastasiia Gubanova earned the silver medal this time while Hendrickx’s teammate Nina Pinzarrone collected the bronze medal.
Hendrickx was the first out of the top three to skate and set the bar high with her entertaining program “Break My Soul” by Madonna and Beyoncé.
The 2023 ISU Grand Prix Final silver medalist hit a triple Lutz-triple toe, triple flip and double Axel and followed up with two more clean triples and level-four spins and footwork. She only underrotated the second triple flip.
The two-time ISU World medalist scored 138.59 points for a confident win at 213.25 points.
The only other European Figure Skating title for Belgium dates back to 1947 and was won by Pair Skaters Micheline Lannoy/Pierre Baugniet.
“I think it was one of the best competitions, because normally after the jumps I start enjoying, but it really felt that after the triple-triple I was relaxed. “I know I can do better, but I’m super happy because I had so much fun on the ice. I never enjoyed a program as much as I did here,” Hendrickx shared.
“I just had to do everything I could today as well, and I had to start all over again, but I have a great team behind me - my brother, choreographer, physio everyone is super close to me. They are positive, they told me I worked so hard for that moment, and that’s what took me through the program.”
Medal winners (L-R): Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO); Loena Hendrickx and Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Kaunas (LTU) © ISU
Performing to “Caruso”, Gubanova also put on an excellent program, completing five clean triple jumps and difficult spins and steps. She only lost a few points for slightly underrotating (q) a triple Salchow and a triple Lutz.
The 2023 European Champion achieved a new personal best of 137.56 points and totaled 206.52 points to move up from third to second and earn her second consecutive medal at Europeans.
Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) in the Women's Free Skating at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Kaunas (LTU) © ISU
“The ice is slippery and you don’t always do what you planned. Now I had to pull myself together and show 100% of what I can do. The most important is to focus mentally and just do my job,” Gubanova noted.
“The only thing that I had in my mind at that moment (at the end of the program) was that I did everything, I gave it all and left all I had on the ice. I wanted to believe it would be well-scored and I was just happy.”
Pinzarrone’s routine to “Spartacus” was highlighted by a triple Salchow, triple loop-double toe combination, two double Axels and level-four spins. However, four triple jumps were called slightly underrotated and the 17-year-old was ranked third in the Free Skating with 132.59 points. She slipped to third overall at 202.29 points.
Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) in the Women's Free Skating at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Kaunas (LTU) © ISU
She earned her first ISU Championship medal in only her second appearance at Europeans.
“The most important thing was to believe in myself, because I know I could do it,” Pinazarrone said.
“I still had to do it in that moment and also to stay calm, because it was a long wait (to skate last). I tried to focus as long as possible on myself, and be in my own bubble, and just prepare mentally and physically for my turn.”
Livia Kaiser (SUI) remained in fourth place with a personal best performance at 194.72 points while Lorine Schild (FRA) came fifth at 183.86 points. Sarina Joos (ITA) pulled up from ninth to sixth in her debut at the ISU European Championships (180.83 points). 2023 European bronze medalist Kimmy Repond (SUI) finished seventh (180.82 points).
For full results please see here.
Schedule of the event
The schedule of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships is as follows:
Wednesday, January 10: Pairs & Men’s Short Programs
Thursday, January 11: Women’s Short Program, Pairs Free Skating
Friday, January 12: Rhythm Dance & Men’s Free Skating
Saturday, January 13: Women’s Free Skating & Free Dance
Sunday, January 14: 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 2024:
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.
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