Defending Champion Niina Petrokina of Estonia is back on the golden track after topping the Women’s Short Program at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2026 in Sheffield on Wednesday. 

Niina Petrokina back on golden track

Reigning ISU European Champion Niina Petrokina of Estonia skated to a strong lead of almost six points over two-time ISU European bronze medalist Nina Pinzarrone of Belgium. Italy’s Anna Pezzetta was something of a surprise in third, but the scores are close and a lot can happen in the Free Skating on Friday.

Petrokina continued her comeback with a personal best performance. After missing the ISU Grand Prix series while recovering from an injury to her right foot, the Estonian Champion returned to nail her “Criminal Tango” Short Program. 

Petrokina produced a triple Lutz-triple toe, triple flip and double Axel as well as difficult spins and footwork to crack the 70-point mark for the first time with 70.61 points. 

Reigning European Champion Niina Petrokina (EST) is back from injury and on track to retain her title after establishing a big lead in the Short Program © ISU

“Finally, I got 70 points,” Petrokina said. 

“It was my goal for this season. I'm still shocked because two months ago I wouldn't imagine that I will be here and jump the Lutz and Flip and today I did my clean short program.

“The crowd in Sheffield was really amazing. I always love to skate with a big audience, it gives me power and I felt that power today.”

Pinzarrone has her own comeback story after also having to withdraw from the ISU Grand Prix earlier this season. 

Skating last out of the 38 women, the Belgian Champion laid down a solid performance to “Send in the Clowns” that was highlighted by a double Axel, triple loop and excellent spins. Pinzarrone achieved a season’s best of 64.97 points. 

Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) scored a season's best skating last with her Short Program to "Send in the Clowns" © ISU

“I’m really happy to be here. I’ve been injured for a long time and my preparation was really not the best because I was off the ice for a long time,” she shared. 

“Of course I still have a little bit less than one month to prepare [for the Olympic Games] but I know what things to work on. It’s also just a good feeling to know that even though it’s not the best that after a long break that I can still be at the top.”

Skating to “Exercises in Free Love”, Pezzetta landed a triple flip and double Axel, but under-rotated the back end of her triple Lutz-triple toe combination. She earned 64.85 points to be in the top three after the Short Program for the first time at an ISU Championship.

18-year-old Anna Pezzetta (ITA) took an unexpected third place and approaches the Free Skate with thoughts of a first senior international medal © ISU

“I didn’t expect this but now I will approach the Free Skating with a different mindset,” the 18-year-old Italian noted. 

“I just want to give my best and see what I can get.” 

Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA) remains close to the podium in fourth place on 63.75 points. 2024 ISU European Champion Loena Hendrickx (BEL), who missed last season, fell on a triple flip to come fifth (63.43 points), but still can catch up in the Free Skating. 

2023 ISU European bronze medalist Kimmy Repond (SUI) currently ranks sixth (59.28 points), and 2023 ISU European Champion Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) missed her triple Lutz to finish 11th. 

Find more comments of the skaters and the press conference highlights on the ISU event website in the “For Media” section. For more information also see the Facts & Figures published on the ISU event website. 

What & When

The schedule of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2026 is as follows:

Wednesday, January 14: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs
Thursday, January 15: Men’s Short Program & Pairs Free Skating
Friday, January 16: Rhythm Dance, Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, January 17: Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance
Sunday, January 18: Exhibition Gala
 

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