49. Maxim Kovtun RUS
Europeans short program
Something clicked for Maxim Kovtun, and it happened in the free skate at the Russian Figure Skating Championships in December. After having just a disaster of a season up until then, including in the short program at that competition, he found his rhythm and subsequently regained his confidence. And it translated brilliantly to the European Championships a month later.
This short program was perhaps the most animated we've ever seen Kovtun, and he put down the best short of his career here on his way to the silver medal, his third consecutive medal at Europeans. And though Worlds and World Team Trophy didn't match the super skating that he demonstrated here, he gave us a reminder that he is still a force to be reckoned with.
Postscript: I still have no idea what this costume is supposed to be though. Is he the representation of a piece of luggage covered with travel stickers? #inquiringminds