ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2008 Preview
The 2008 ISU European Figure Skating Championships will open
in Zagreb, Croatia, on January 21. Zagreb has hosted European
Championships twice before, in 1974 and in 1979.
158 skaters/couples from 34 ISU members have been entered
for the Championships. Following a decision of the 51st Ordinary
Congress of the ISU in June 2006, no Qualifying Rounds will
be skated. All skaters/couples will compete in the Short Program,
and the top 24 will proceed to the Free Skating.
Top contenders
Reigning World and European Champion Brian Joubert of France
headlines the Men’s field, but competition is expected
to be tough. Joubert competed only in one Grand Prix event,
Skate Canada, and then missed the Trophee Bompard due to illness
and subsequently did not qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of
Figure Skating Final. His seasonal best score of 213.62 dates
from Skate Canada. Meanwhile, Joubert is recovered and took
his sixth consecutive National title in December. Two-time
World Champion Stéphane Lambiel (SUI) hopes to dethrone
the Frenchman and thus earn the title that is still missing
in his collection. Lambiel did not compete at Europeans last
year and was ranked second in 2006. The current World bronze
medallist won the Grand Prix Final in December with his season
best score of 239.10 points, which is also the highest score
any skater has achieved this season so far. 2007 European
silver medallist Tomas Verner (CZE) comes with a seasonal
best of 229.45 points to Croatia and is aiming at another
podium finish. Reigning European bronze medallist Kevin van
der Perren (BEL/seasonal best 204.75) is another medal contender.
Others to watch out for are newcomer Sergei Voronov (RUS/seasonal
best 208.91), France’s Alban Préaubert (seasonal
best 207.10) and Yannick Ponsero (seasonal best 189.76) as
well as Sergei Davydov (BLR/ seasonal best 184.70), who was
4th in Warsaw last year.
Carolina Kostner of Italy is looking to defend her title
in Zagreb. The Italian posted a new seasonal best of 178.93
when she claimed the bronze medal at the Grand Prix Final
in Torino. However, Switzerland’s reigning European
silver medallist Sarah Meier (seasonal best 163.17 points)
is ready to challenge the champion. Finland is represented
by three strong Ladies: Defending European bronze medallist
Kiira Korpi (seasonal best 154.26 points), Finnish Champion
Laura Lepistö (seasonal best 147.69) and Junior Grand
Prix Finalist Jenni Vähämaa (seasonal best 132.44).
Other contenders are Valentina Marchei (ITA/seasonal best
118.99), who placed 5th last year at Europeans, former European
Champion Julia Sebestyen (HUN/seasonal best 136.60) and Elene
Gedevanishvili (GEO/seasonal best 136.54).
Reigning European Champions Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy
(GER) have had a successful seaon so far and are heading with
a seasonal best of 199.23 points and the gold medal from the
Grand Prix Final to Zagreb. The challenge should come from
Russia’s Yuko Kawaguchi/Alexander Smirnov (seasonal
best 181.71), who are attempting the quadruple throw Salchow
in their Free Program, their teammates Maria Mukhortova/Maxim
Trankov (seasonal best 179.82) and Ukraine’s Tatiana
Volosozhar/Stanislav Morozov (seasonal best 152.59), who were
ranked 4th at the 2007 World Championships. 15 pairs are entered
for the event, including a Croatian pairs team.
The Ice Dancing event will see a rematch between reigning
European Champions Isabelle Delobel/Olivier Schoenfelder of
France and silver medallists Oksana Domnina/Maxim Shabalin
(RUS). The Russians, who won the Grand Prix Final, come with
a seasonal best of 205.24 points from the Cup of Russia to
Croatia, while the French were ranked third in Torino and
have a seasonal best of 197.54 points. However, Shabalin underwent
meniscus surgery in December right after the Grand Prix Final
and had to miss Nationals. He is back on to the ice since
January 6.
Quite a few dance couples are aiming for a medal at Europeans
as well, and competition should be very interesting. Jana
Khokhlova/Sergei Novitski (RUS/seasonal best 191.01), Nathalie
Pechalat/Fabian Bourzat (FRA/seasonal best 184.38), Federica
Faiella/Massimo Scali (ITA/seasonal best 181.10), Sinead Kerr/John
Kerr (GBR/seasonal best 172.37) all have a chance to take
their first European medal.
Please note that for the seasonal best total scores only
the ISU Grand Prix competitions (senior and junior) have been
taken into consideration, not other international competitions
or National Championships.
Prize money and World Standings Bonus
The ISU awards a global prize money of US$ 350,000 at the
European Championships to skaters/couples placed 1st to 12th.
The prize money is awarded to winners and placed skaters/couples
as follows:
Men and Ladies Pairs and Dance (per couple)
1st place US$ 20,000 1st place US$ 30,000
2nd place US$ 13,000 2nd place US$ 19,500
3rd place US$ 8,000 3rd place US$ 12,000
4th place US$ 6,500 4th place US$ 9,750
5th place US$ 5,000 5th place US$ 7,500
6th place US$ 4,000 6th place US$ 6,000
7th place US$ 3,500 7th place US$ 5,250
8th place US$ 3,000 8th place US$ 4,500
9th place US$ 2,500 9th place US$ 3,750
10th place US$ 2,000 10th place US$ 3,000
11th place US$ 1,500 11th place US$ 2,250
12th place US$ 1,000 12th place US$ 1,500
By competing in the ISU European Figure Skating Championships
the athletes earn points towards the World Standings as well.
The three skaters/couples per discipline having earned most
World Standing points during the 2007/2008 season will be
awarded with the World Standings Bonus. The following amounts
will be awarded to the concerned skaters/couples
Ladies & Men Pairs & Dance (per couple)
1st: US$ 45,000 1st: US$ 67,500
2nd: US$ 27,000 2nd: US$ 40,500
3rd: US$ 18,000 3rd: US$ 27,000
The schedule of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships
2008 is as follows:
Tuesday, January 22: Compulsory Dance, Pairs Short Program
Wednesday, January 23: Men Short Program, Pairs Free Skating
Thursday, January 24: Original Dance, Men Free Skating
Friday, January 25: Ladies Short Program, Free Dance
Saturday, January 26: Ladies Free Skating
Sunday, November 27: Exhibition Gala
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