Bratislava / Slovak Republic

The 2016 ISU European Figure Skating Championships opened Wednesday in Bratislava, Slovak Republic with the Ladies Short Program. 159 skaters from 33 ISU Members have been entered for the Championships. Skaters/couples need to have obtained a minimum total technical score in Short Program and Free Skating in order to compete at the European Championships. Two reigning European Champions are back and hope to defend their title.

Evgenia Medvedeva (RUS) captures Ladies Short Program

Evgenia Medvedeva of Russia captured the Ladies Short Program followed by teammates Elena Radionova and Anna Pogorilaya.

Skating to “Melodies of the White Nights”, Medvedeva produced a triple flip-triple toe combination, a triple loop as well as exquisite spins and footwork, but stepped out of the double Axel. The reigning Grand Prix Final Champion picked up 72.55 points. “Basically I did my job, but I could have done better. Overall I’m pleased, because I fought through it. This is my debut at the European Championships and I was a bit more nervous than usual”, the 16-year-old Russian Champion said.

Radionova’s performance to “Je t’aime” by Lara Fabian was highlighted by a triple Lutz-triple toe, a triple flip and level-four spins. The defending European silver medalist scored 70.96 points. “I am very happy with my skate today, especially because I upped the difficulty (by changing a planned triple loop to a triple flip). Before I skated I was worried I couldn’t do it, and right up to the last minute I still had not made the decision. My coach wanted me to do the flip but she was also worried and she said ultimately it would be my call, so during the program I made the decision to risk it”, Radionova, 17, shared.

Pogorilaya opened her program to “Bolero for Violin and Orchestra” by Walter Taieb and Vanessa Mae with a triple Lutz-triple toe, but she doubled the loop. The 2015 European bronze medalist earned 63.81 points. “It wasn’t the worst skate I’ve ever done but it wasn’t the best. It would have been a good skate if I hadn’t popped the loop. It is disappointing, but it is done, so now I am already thinking about the free program and how to skate that calmer and better than today”, the 17-year-old commented.

Roberta Rodeghiero (ITA) turned in a strong performance that included a triple toe-triple toe combination to finish fourth at 61.01 points. Angelina Kuchvalska (LAT) sits in fifth with 58.99 points followed by Joshi Helgesson (SWE) with 58.13 points.

The ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2016 continue with the Men’s Short Program.