The three women who have swept through this entire season reconvene at the European Championships. Anything but a sweep of the podium among the three of them would be a surprise - but of course, the intrigue comes in when you try to figure out who among them will win the whole thing. Any way you slice it, there will be a new European champion in the ladies’ event being crowned this week in Graz. But outside of those three, be prepared to see a lot of names you may not have heard of before land in the top ten.
Europeans predictions
Official hashtag: #EuroFigure
GOLD Alena Kostornaia RUS - The Grand Prix Final champion has had a spectacular season - her only loss so far has been to Shcherbakova, and that was at Russian Nationals by two points. She’s proven that she certainly can’t out-technical her two teammates, but the inclusion of a consistent triple axel has proven to be the thing that has kept her competitive - well, that and the impeccable execution of her elements and her phenomenal basics. She’s not a clear favorite here, but consistency will go a long way when you are looking at the risk-taking of the programs from the Russian women.
SILVER Anna Shcherbakova RUS - The one who has been under the radar proved to be the one who won it all at Russian Nationals. Shcherbakova used her base value to her advantage last month and edged Kostornaia for her second Russian title. For her to have a good look at the European title this week, it will be important for her to keep it close in the short program.
BRONZE Alexandra Trusova RUS - Trusova’s strategy has been to go for broke this season, and she will once again have those go-big-or-go-home layouts here. At this point in her career, she can’t outskate either Kostornaia or Shcherbakova, so she has to out-base-value them. She’s had another month to work on that triple axel, and that may be the jump that brings her that European title. If she has a mistake again like she did at the Grand Prix Final, it will be that much tougher for her to make up that ground.
4. Nicole Schott GER - Outside of her middling Grand Prix showings this season, Schott has actually been putting out some solid skates this season, most recently winning her fifth German title on the heels of upgraded technical content. She’s got a triple flip-triple toe in program now, which will definitely help her when she feels comfortable enough to put it in the short program. Among this set of skaters, she’s got a great shot at a career-high placement here.
5. Ekaterina Kurakova POL - Now twice the Polish champion, Kurakova has been looking strong on the senior ranks this season. She’s got very solid skating and couple make some waves in her Europeans debut.
6. Viktoriia Safonova BLR - Another skater making her Europeans debut, Safonova is another skater making her Europeans debut this week. And like Kurakova, she started off in the Russian system and is now representing a different country.
7. Alexia Paganini SUI - Her season has been steadily on an upswing. She was most recently seventh at Rostelecom Cup and showing some of the spark that brought her to a couple of solid results in the past couple of years at Europeans.
8. Alessia Tornaghi ITA - Another skater making her first Euros appearance, Tornaghi just coming off a second Italian title and a sixth-place finish at the Youth Olympics.
9. Mae Berenice Meite FRA - Meite won her sixth French title last month, but this season has been anything but easy for her. She has been recovering from injury over the off-season, and nothing has really gelled so far in competition.
10. Ekaterina Ryabova AZE - After a really strong 13th at Worlds last season, Ryabova has been up and down this season so far. Her highlight of the season came at Rostelecom Cup, where she finished fifth.