2019 Winter Universiade: Maxim Kovtun takes figure skating win in men’s short program
Matteo Rizzo took second with Andrei Lazukin in third place ahead of free skate at the Winter University Games in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.
Figure Skating
There was a victory for Russia’s Maxim Kovtun in Krasnoyarsk after a disappointing performance at the 2019 ISU European Championships.
A score of 91.74 meant a short program win at the Winter University Games for the 23-year-old.
The reigning Russian national champion only finished 14th in Minsk.
Matteo Rizzo of Italy secured second place at the 2019 Winter Universiade with a routine that included a quad toe and a triple axel.
The 2018 NHK Trophy bronze medalist, and 2018 Italian national champion, finished with a score of 90.78.
Errors from the big names
Andrei Lazukin of Russia capitalised on falls from two of the favourites.
Lazukin scored 88.63 which was enough for third.
Alexander Samarin fell on an attempted quad and finished in 6th place.
There were high hopes for Samarin after he came in second place at European Championships behind Javier Fernandez of Spain.
Kazuki Tomoni of Japan, third in this season's Rostelecom Cup in Moscow, turned in an elegant short program routine but his fall meant he was out of podium contention in 7th.
There’s a chance for redemption in the men’s free skate that starts at 1200 UTC on Thursday (7 March 2019).
In the pair’s short program, Anastasia Poluianova and Dmitry Sopot of Russia took top spot. The free skate starts at 0900 UTC on Thursday.
Ladies’ Singles
The women’s competition starts with the short program on Friday.
Stanislava Konstantinova heads the field in the ladies' singles.
The Russian finished fourth in the European Championships but still missed out on a place at the ISU World Championships.
Instead, Russia chose to send Olympic champion Alina Zagitova, recent European champion Sofia Samodurova and two-time Olympic silver medallist Evgenia Medvedeva.
Joining Konstantinova at the Winter University Games is team-mate Maria Sotskova who won silver at the 2016 Youth Olympic Games in Innsbruck. The 18-year-old placed 8th at the Winter Olympics 2018 in PyeongChang.
Konstantinova remains the favourite even though her fourth place in January's European Championships was not enough to book a spot in the World Championship line-up.
Kazakhstan's Elizabet Tursynbaeva and Mai Mihara of Japan are also skaters to keep an eye on in a talented field.
Set your alarm for 0700 UTC to watch the action live on Olympic Channel.
Daily Streaming Schedule
Thursday 7 March
Alpine Skiing - Women's Giant Slalom
Biathlon - Women's 10km and Men's 12.5km Pursuit
Figure Skating - Ice Dance Rhythm Dance
Figure Skating - Pairs Free Skate
Figure Skating - Men's Free Skate
Ski Orienteering - Mixed Sprint Relay
Friday 8 March
Alpine Skiing - Men's Giant Slalom
Cross-Country Skiing - Mixed Team Sprint
Figure Skating - Mixed Synchronised Short Program
Figure Skating - Ladies' Short Program
Figure Skating - Ice Dance Free Dance
Bandy - Women's Bronze Medal Match
Bandy - Women's Gold Medal Match
Snowboard - Women's and Men's Halfpipe
Saturday 9 March
Cross-Country Skiing - Women's Relay
Cross-Country Skiing - Men's Relay
Figure Skating - Synchronized Free Skate
Figure Skating - Ladies' Free Skate
Figure Skating - Exhibition
Alpine Skiing - Mixed Alpine Team Event
Biathlon - Single Mixed Relay
Bandy - Men's Semi-Finals
Freestyle Skiing - Women's and Men's Moguls
Curling - Men's and Women's Semi-Finals
Sunday 10 March
Curling - Men's and Women's Medal Matches
Alpine Skiing - Women's Slalom
Biathlon - Women's and Men's Mass Start
Snowboard - Women's and Men's Slopestyle
Ski Orienteering - Men's and Women's Middle Distance
Bandy - Men's Bronze Medal Match
Bandy - Men's Gold Medal Match
Ice Hockey - Women's Semi-Finals
Freestyle Skiing - Dual Moguls
Monday 11 March
Alpine Skiing - Men's Slalom
Cross-Country Skiing - Women's 15km Mass Start
Freestyle skiing - Women's and Men's Ski Cross
Ice Hockey - Women's Bronze Medal Match
Ice Hockey - Women's Gold Medal Match
Ice Hockey - Men's Semi-Finals
Tuesday 12 March
Cross-Country Skiing - Men's 30km Mass Start
Ice Hockey - Men's Bronze Medal Match
Ice Hockey - Men's Gold Medal Match
Closing Ceremony