This is an appointment not to be missed either for the French team or for the viewers.
The European Figure Skating Championships, which are held in Espoo, Finland, until January 29, could be the scene of great surprises for French athletes.
No Russians but beautiful people
Always boycotted in international competitions, Russian athletes are not present, in particular the reigning European champion Kamila Valieva, who recently caused a sensation by resuming the dance of the heroine of the
Wednesday
series .
An absence regretted by Philippe Candeloro, who comments on the competition with Annick Dumont and Nelson Monfort on France televisions:
“It's a shame, because they bring a lot sportingly speaking.
But that leaves more of a chance for others to make the podium, especially among the ladies.
»
The young Belgian Loena Hendrickx, vice-world champion, is thus the favorite.
Léa Serna, triple champion of France, will try to clear a place on the podium.
In the pairs, the French Camille and Pavel Kovalev, finished fourth after the short program which was held on Wednesday January 25th.
They have the possibility of slipping into the top three after the free which is held this Thursday, January 26 at 6:10 p.m.
Our ice dance specialists Evgeniia Lopareva and Geoffrey Brissaud have a very good card to play during these European championships.
They will return to the track on Friday 27.
Read alsoEuro skating: the Italian couple Conti-Macii in the lead after the court
Two French for a podium?
But it is in the men's category that France has the best chance of shining.
Adam Siao Him Fa, haloed with the title of champion of France, will seek the gold medal and he is on track for that since he finished at the top of the short program on Wednesday.
It's Friday, January 27 at 5 p.m. that everything will be decided.
His compatriot Kevin Aymoz took 4th place but nothing was decided.
“They both have the potential to be European champions and could score a double,” continues Philippe Candeloro.
They will have to manage the pressure and be wary of the Italian Matteo Rizzo (2nd in the short program) as well as the Latvian Deniss Vasiljevs (3rd).
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Read alsoEuro skating: Adam Siao Him Fa in the lead after the short program, Kevin Aymoz 4th
A double television broadcast
These European championships represent a great opportunity for the French to distinguish themselves.
France Télévisions broadcasts the entire competition on its France.tv platform but will also offer the best moments of the men's and women's free program on Saturday January 28 from 3.15 p.m. on France 3 as well as the closing gala live on Sunday January 29 from 3.15 p.m. still on France 3. Eurosport, for its part, broadcasts all the events of the competition on its antennas.
Competition program
Thursday January 26:
Ladies' short program from 12:15 p.m.
Couples' free program from 6:10 p.m.
Friday January 27:
Ice dancing, rhythmic program from 12:15 p.m.
Men's free program from 5 p.m.
Saturday January 28:
Women's free program from 12 p.m.
Ice dancing, free program from 5.30 p.m.
Sunday January 29:
Closing gala from 3:15 p.m.