Espoo, FInland

Banner WSTSSC Long

#FigureSkating   

Gubanova Day 2 

Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) takes the lead in the Women's Short Program at Espoo (FIN) © ISU

Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) skated away with the lead in the Women’s Short Program as the ISU European Figure Skating Championships continued in Espoo (FIN) Thursday.

Gubanova (GEO) beats top favorite Hendrickx (BEL)

Anastasiia Gubanova beat reigning World silver medalist and top favorite Loena Hendrickx of Belgium for the lead in the Women’s Short Program. Newcomer Kimmy Repond of Switzerland came third in the first segment of the competition.

Gubanova told the story of a young girl who has an accident, and needs to fight for her life, in her program to “Istanbul Wedding” and “Historiette No. 5”, and captured the audience right away. The ISU Grand Prix John Wilson Trophy bronze medalist completed a triple flip-triple toe, double Axel, triple Lutz, as well as level-four steps and a level-four flying camel spin, to post a personal best of 69.81 points. 

“It was not ideal, but I did everything and I enjoyed skating,” said Gubanova. “I have to forget about the short program and go into the free skating with a cool head – and do my job.”

Hendrickx entertained the crowd at the Metro Areena with her Latin dance style program to “Mi Gente” and “Si Mama” that featured a triple flip, double Axel and difficult spins and steps that were rated a level four.

Hendrickx Day 2

Loena Hendrickx (BEL)  in the Women's Short Program at Espoo (FIN) © ISU

However, the ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalist struggled with her triple Lutz that was under-rotated, and only managed a double toe for the combination. The Grand Prix de France Champion scored 67.85 points.

“I'm disappointed about my skate today. It wasn't perfect, and I made a really big mistake. I know I can do much better, and this season I showed some very good short programs. Here it just didn't work out,” the multiple Belgian Champion said. “I think I will cry in the hotel and then I will have a fresh start tomorrow.”

Repond competes in her first European Championship, but looked confident and hit a (slightly under-rotated) triple Lutz-triple toe combination, a double Axel and triple flip. The 16-year-old picked up a personal best of 63.83 points. 

 

Repond Day 2

Kimmy Repond (SUI) competes in the Women's Short Program at Espoo (FIN) © ISU

“It is my first Europeans and I have been dreaming about going to it. I tried not to have any expectations, I just wanted to show my best,” the Swiss National silver medalist said. “Third place is a really big thing for me, and I am really happy.”

Olga Mikutina (AUT) remains within striking distance of the podium in fourth place with 62.78 points with a clean performance that included a triple Lutz-double toe combination. Ekaterina Kurakova (POL) placed fifth (61.81 points) ahead of Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) with 61.35 points. With the difference in points being so small, between the skaters ranked third to seventh, a lot can happen in the Women’s Free Skating on Saturday. There is still everything to skate for.

 

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

News

ISU Newsletter:              Subscribe to our weekly Newsletter to get the latest news and press releases