Georgian pair wins European figure skating title

Georgians Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava won the European title in pair figure skating for the first time in their careers in Sheffield, United Kingdom, three weeks ahead of the Milan–Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics, AFP reports.

After the short program, the Georgian skaters also dominated the free skate, totaling 215.76 points with a high-level performance, slightly marred by a fall by Anastasiia Metelkina. The Georgian pair claimed their first major title in an international competition, CE Report quotes AGERPRES.

Metelkina and Berulava finished ahead of the reigning European champions, Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin of Germany, who won the silver medal with 203.87 points.

The bronze medal went to Maria Pavlova and Aleksei Sviatcenko of Hungary, who scored 202.56 points.

It was a strong day for Georgia overall, as Nika Egadze impressed in the men’s short program, taking the lead ahead of Estonian brothers Aleksandr and Mihhail Selevko (88.71 and 88.28 points, respectively).

Defending champion Lukas Britschgi of Switzerland is only sixth with 82.12 points. Two-time European champion Adam Siao Him Fa of France (2023, 2024) is not competing, choosing instead to focus on the Olympic Games.

The European Championships represent the final stage for skaters to fine-tune their programs under close judging scrutiny ahead of the major Olympic event (February 6–22). The competition is being held without Russian skaters, who remain suspended by the International Federation due to the war in Ukraine.

As reported by CE Report, the European Championships continue on Friday with the rhythm dance, followed by the women’s individual free skate.