Press releases

21 Jan 2019

Practice sessions underway ahead of European Figure Skating Championships in Minsk

MINSK, 21 January (BelTA) – The first practice sessions got underway at Minsk Arena in the run-up to the 111th ISU European Figure Skating Championships, BelTA has learned.

Europe’s best athletes are preparing for the start of the championships at two venues: the speed skating stadium and the main arena. A technical meeting of teams’ managers and a medical board meeting will also take place on 21 January.

Minsk is hosting such a prestigious tournament for the first time. This year, the ISU European Figure Skating Championships features more than 100 athletes. Belarus will be represented by Anna Kublikova and Yuri Gulitsky in ice dance and Yakau Zenko in the men’s singles.

The Russian team has the highest winning chances in all four disciplines. The team includes two-times Europe champions (2017 and 2018) Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov, Pyeongchang Olympic champion Alina Zagitova and two rising stars Stanislava Konstantinova and Sofia Samodurova in the women’s singles and Maxim Kovtun and 2018 European bronze medalist Mikhail Kolyada in the men’s singles. Six-time European champion Javier Fernandez of Spain plans to retire after the tournament in Minsk. Many prominent figure skaters will arrive in Minsk on 21 January. 22 January will be the second training day.

The International Skating Union noted that the winners of the men’s and ladies’ singles in the European Figure Skating Championship in Minsk will get $21,000 each. The prize money for silver will make up $16,000 and that for bronze $11,000. The prize money in pairs and ice dancing events will make up $30,000, $20,000 and $12,000.

The tournament will begin at Minsk Arena with the short program in ladies and pair skating on 23 January. The opening ceremony will start at 18.00.

The 111th European Figure Skating Championship will be running in Minsk on 21-27 January.