Winter sports
EM gold for figure skating pairs Hase/Wolodin
Minerva Hase and Nikita Wolodin withstand the favorite pressure at the Figure Art Run Estonia in Estonia. The couple get their first big title and end a long dry spell.
Germany’s figure skating top pair of Minerva Hase and Nikita Wolodin has fulfilled the dream of the gold medal at the European Championship in Tallinn. The two 25-year-olds claimed the lead from the short program in the freestyle and prevailed with 212.48 points.
The duo thus ensured the greatest success of the German ice skating union in almost seven years when Aljona Savchenko and Bruno Massot became Olympic champion and also world champions. For the last time gold for Germany at an EM, Aljona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy 2011 won. “We are super happy,” said Minerva Hase.
Sara Conti/Niccolò Macii (206.89 points) from Italy came in second at the European Championship in Estonia’s capital in front of the Georgian couple Anastasija Metelkina/Luka Berulawa (191.88 points). Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel, who were still promising in the medal race after the short program, fell back to eighth with a total of 176.55 points. Letizia Roscher and Luis Schuster were twelfth with 158.15 points.
Hase: Have put pressure on ourselves
With the title win, the rabbit and Wolodin lived up to their favorite role at the European Championship. She felt the “nervousness” and the “pressure”, said Hase after the short program. “Not from the outside, but more of ourselves.”
Although the short program was not error-free and there was even a point deduction due to time crossing, the World Cup thirds were in the lead before the freestyle with more than three points. “To be honest, we were a bit surprised that we were in first place,” said Wolodin. The two also benefited from the fact that the competition allowed themselves some wobbles.
The duo, who trains in Berlin, showed a brilliant freestyle despite favorite pressure, even expanded the lead and did not miss the gold medal. For rabbit/Wolodine, who have been a pair of figure skating since 2022, it is the greatest success to date. “Now we’ll sleep first,” said Wolodin with a smile.
Aircraft accident overshadows competition
The EM day was overshadowed by the devastating aircraft accident in Washington, in which several figure skaters, trainers and family members died.
“Today, the world of figure skating is indetuctible. Our deep and sincere condolences are for families and friends of all those who have lost their lives in this terrible crash,” said the President of the Eislauf World Association ISU, Kim Jae Youl. In memory of the victims, a minute’s silence was inserted at the European Championship.
dpa
Source: Stern

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