European figure skating championship in Finland: Schott’s dream of a medal in the short program burst

Nicole Schott lands twice rough on the ice in the short program at the European Figure Skating Championships and thus misses the chance to fight for the medals.

Nicole Schott’s dream of a medal at the European Championships in Espoo, Finland, was shattered. For the 26-year-old, her short program ended in disappointment on Thursday. Shortly after the start, the seven-time German champion fell while flipping.

Even with a combination of triple toeloop and Rittberger that was planned shortly afterwards, she landed roughly on the ice. With 54.33 points, the native of Oberstdorf, who came 16th in the freestyle on Saturday, can now only fight for the top ten.

Georgia’s Anastasiia Gubanova (69.81 points) is in the lead ahead of the favored Belgian Loena Hendrickx (67.85). Third before the final freestyle is Kimmy Repond from Switzerland (63.83).

Without Russia’s figure skating stars – Schott misses an opportunity

The omens were good for Schott, because the competition is taking place without the overwhelming competition: Just a year ago, Russia’s figure skaters won all three European Championship medals, led by Kamila Valiyeva, who has since been convicted of doping.

At last year’s world title fights in Montpellier, France, Schott benefited from the war-related Russian exclusion and finished tenth, her best place in the World Championship by far.