TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Anastasiia Gubanova took the lead after the short program on January 30, 2025, at the European Figure SkATING Championships, aiming to reclaim her title. With the defending champion, Loena Hendrickx, sidelined due to an ankle injury, the competition was wide open, and excitement filled the air.
With just .31 of a point separating the top three skaters, Gubanova, skating to a cover of ABBA's "Money, Money, Money," executed her routine flawlessly. The 2023 European champion landed incredible tricks, including a triple flip-triple toe loop combination, double axel, and triple lutz, earning her 68.99 points. Gubanova's performance set the bar high going forward to Friday's decisive free skate.
Trailing closely was Estonia's own Niina Petrokina, who captivated her home crowd with her clean program, featuring a triple lutz-triple toe loop combination. Petrokina scored 68.94 points and ended the day with only .05 points behind Gubanova. "The atmosphere was electric, and I felt the support of everyone here," she expressed, making it clear how much the home crowd's cheers affected her performance. Swiss skater Kimmy Repond, who captured the bronze medal last year, was also contending strongly with her score of 68.68.
Meanwhile, the pairs competition also heated up with Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin taking the lead after their short program, scoring 71.59 points. The German duo showcased exquisite skill, marking themselves as favorites for the gold medal heading to Thursday’s free skate. Coming off their recent victory at the Grand Prix Final, Hase and Volodin skated impeccably, apart from incurring a minor one-point penalty for exceeding the allowed time.
Following them were Italy’s 2023 European champions, Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii, who managed to secure 68.52 points. Conti's knee made contact with the ice during the landing of her throw triple loop, costing them important points. “We're still working on our consistency, but I believe we can pull through and improve during the free skate,” Conti remarked.
Third place was claimed by Hungary's Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko, scoring 65.88 points. Without the defending champions Lucrezia Beccari and Matteo Guarise, who are absent due to Beccari's season-ending injury, the competition is wide open for new contenders, giving other pairs the chance to shine.
The absence of Hendrickx magnified the significance of the day, as all eyes were on Gubanova and her potential return to the top of the podium. With only the free skate remaining, the anticipation builds as every competitor aims to capitalize on their short program scores. "The pressure is definitely on, but I am prepared for this. Every skate has its own story, and tomorrow will add to mine," Gubanova commented, highlighting her focus as the competition intensifies.
With every participant showcasing skills and artistry, the stage is set for more drama and excitement, leaving fans eagerly anticipating who will emerge as champions. Both the ladies’ and pairs’ free skate events promise to deliver unforgettable performances, and every skater knows they must bring their best to seize the opportunity.
The stakes are higher than ever with the clock ticking down to the free skate, where scores can flip drastically. Each competitor's performance will be pivotal as they pursue glory on this European stage. Fans look forward to seeing if Gubanova can hold her lead, or if Hase and Volodin can secure their first European title. The pressure builds, but the spirit of the championships prevails as skaters prepare to deliver their best routines yet.