The Essential 15: 2013 European Figure Skating Championships

Maxim Kovtun RUSEuropeans free skate (7th SP, 4th FS, 5th overall)WATCH: Kovtun free skateThere were many who questioned Russia's decision to send Kovtun to Europeans over Konstantin Menshov, and now many who are questioning sending him to Worlds over Menshov and Sergei Voronov, both of whom finished above Kovtun at Russian Nationals.  But this fifth-place showing at Europeans certainly gave him some cred.Valentina Marchei ITAEuropeans short program (3rd SP, 4th FS, 4th overall)WATCH: Marchei short programTalk about persistence.  Marchei has been a face in figure skating for over a decade, and she has finally found her groove in the past year.  She took fourth here (third in the short program with this fierce performance), her best-ever showing at Europeans in her ninth appearance in the event.Javier Fernandez ESPEuropeans free skate (2nd SP, 1st FS, gold overall)WATCH: Fernandez free skateMuch like his gold medal counterpart at Four Continents, newly-crowned European champion Javier Fernandez hit three quads in his free skate.  His scores at the competition make him a very legitimate gold medal threat at Worlds next month.View the list »
Javier Fernandez (ESP) at the 2012 Grand Prix Final

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Continuing in my series, The Essential 15, we take a look at highlights from the 2013 European Figure Skating Championships in anticipation of the World Championships in a few weeks.

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Related: The Essential 15: Four Continents

Along with Four Continents, the European Championships was the second biggest event of the season behind Worlds. And this year, there were some fireworks at the competition. Let's revisit the Essential 15, in no particular order, from Europeans in January.

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  • Javier Fernandez ESPEuropeans free skate (2nd SP, 1st FS, gold overall)WATCH: Fernandez free skateMuch like his gold medal counterpart at Four Continents, newly-crowned European champion Javier Fernandez hit three quads in his free skate.  His scores at the competition make him a very legitimate gold medal threat at Worlds next month.
  • Valentina Marchei ITAEuropeans short program (3rd SP, 4th FS, 4th overall)WATCH: Marchei short programTalk about persistence.  Marchei has been a face in figure skating for over a decade, and she has finally found her groove in the past year.  She took fourth here (third in the short program with this fierce performance), her best-ever showing at Europeans in her ninth appearance in the event.
  • Maxim Kovtun RUSEuropeans free skate (7th SP, 4th FS, 5th overall)WATCH: Kovtun free skateThere were many who questioned Russia's decision to send Kovtun to Europeans over Konstantin Menshov, and now many who are questioning sending him to Worlds over Menshov and Sergei Voronov, both of whom finished above Kovtun at Russian Nationals.  But this fifth-place showing at Europeans certainly gave him some cred.
  • Adelina Sotnikova RUSEuropeans short program (1st SP, 3rd FS, silver overall)WATCH: Sotnikova short programFinally!  This was arguably Sotnikova's best competition on the senior international level.  She has had an inconsistent time since her dominating junior season two years ago, but she finally puts the jumps together at Europeans, winning the short program with a clean performance and taking the silver overall.
  • Carolina Kostner ITAEuropeans free skate (2nd SP, 2nd FS, gold overall)WATCH: Kostner free skateAfter a late start to her season, Kostner, the reigning World champion, returned to competition with a triple lutz and, just this past weekend at Challenge Cup, a triple flip-triple toe combination. Her two programs at Europeans weren't her best of the season, but they were more than good enough to give her a fifth European title.
  • Anna Cappellini/Luca Lanotte ITAEuropeans free dance (3rd SD, 3rd FD, bronze overall)WATCH: Cappellini/Lanotte free danceThis free dance is full of tension and passion.  And for me, at least, it was the standout performance in the free dance at Europeans.
  • Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres FRAEuropeans free skate (4th SP, 4th FS, 4th overall)WATCH: James/Cipres free skateFor me, James/Cipres is certainly the most improved pair this season.  They were so shaky last season in their first year together - I honestly was holding my breath each time they went up for a lift. But they have really come together this season and established themselves as the most promising pair from France in quite a while.
  • Tatiana Volosozhar/Maxim Trankov RUSEuropeans free skate (1st SP, 1st FS, gold overall)WATCH: Volosozhar/Trankov free skateJust in time for Worlds - Volosozhar/Trankov recorded their first victory over Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy here at Europeans with this free skate.  It also happened just days after the death of Trankov's father.
  • Evgeni Plushenko RUSEuropeans short program (6th SP, withdrew)WATCH: Plushenko short programThis was a tough one to watch for Plushenko fans.  After winning another Russian title in December, Plushenko came in with back pain that saw him hobble off practices.  A fall on his triple axel put him in sixth, after which he made the decision to withdraw from the competition with injury.  Hopefully, with an off-season of rest, he will be able to squeak out another few events next season and end his career in Sochi.
  • Stefania Berton/Ondrej Hotarek ITAEuropeans short program (3rd SP, 3rd FS, bronze overall)WATCH: Berton/Hotarek short programA couple of seasons ago, Berton/Hotarek looked like two singles skaters doing pairs elements.  It's been a steady climb for them, but they sure belong with the top pairs in the world now.  Their short program was a highlight.
  • Nikol Gosviani RUSEuropeans free skate (12th SP, 5th FS, 6th overall)WATCH: Gosviani free skateAfter finishing sixth at Russian Nationals, Gosviani made her senior international debut at Europeans.  And though she had a shaky short that placed her 12th, she rebounded with a very strong free skate to move her up to sixth overall.  She won't be heading to Worlds after Alena Leonova beat her at Cup of Russia, but she's one to keep an eye out for.
  • Elena Ilinykh/Nikita Katsalapov RUSEuropeans free dance (2nd SD, 1st FD, silver overall)WATCH: Iliynkh/Katsalapov free danceLike it or hate it, their Ghost (the musical, not the movie) free dance won the free dance phase at Europeans and they barely missed gold by all of 0.11.
  • Florent Amodio FRAEuropeans short program (1st SP, 3rd FS, silver overall)WATCH: Amodio short programAmodio seems to be making it a habit to peak later in the season.  Like last season, he had a not-so-hot Grand Prix, only to come back with strong performances at Europeans.  
  • Aliona Savchenko/Robin Szolkowy GEREuropeans short program (2nd SP, 2nd FS, silver overall)WATCH: Savchenko/Szolkowy short programSilver here at Europeans, it's been a not-so-hot season for the reigning World champs.  Their programs have been known more for the costumes than for the performances themselves.  Maybe that's why they changed costumes for Europeans. 
  • Ekaterina Bobrova/Dmitri Soloviev RUSEuropeans short dance (1st SD, 2nd FD, gold overall)WATCH: Bobrova/Soloviev short danceThanks to this short dance, Bobrova/Soloviev eked out their first European title.  They are certainly much improved from last season, especially with this short dance.
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, Figure Skating Examiner

Jackie Wong covers all things figure skating and provides the latest results and analysis throughout the season, with plenty of live coverage and commentary all season! He is a former U.S. Figure Skating judge. Contact Jackie with your comments and questions.

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