ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2024: Loena Hendrickx leads Belgian one-two in short program
Hendrickx takes an advantage of almost five points into the free skate from compatriot Nina Pinzarrone with reigning champion Anastasiia Gubanova third.
Figure Skating
Loena Hendrickx is on track to better her silver from 12 months ago after taking the short program at the 2024 ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Kaunas, Lithuania on Thursday (11 January).
The two-time world medallist scored 74.66 inside the Žalgiris Arena after landing a triple flip, double Axel and triple Lutz-triple toeloop in her crowdpleasing skate which included a segment in front of the judges.
Despite a quarter-call on the Lutz in her closing combination, she will take a comfortable lead into Saturday's free skate.
Her closest challenger is fellow Belgian Nina Pinzarrone who had the short program of her life.
The 17-year-old from Brussels bettered her effort from last month's Grand Prix Final as she landed a triple Lutz-triple toeloop, double Axel and triple loop for a new career-best score of 69.70 which held the lead until Hendrickx took over.
The 36 skaters were split into six groups of six ending with the favourites.
Despite being the first skater in group four, former Swiss champion Livia Kaiser scored a personal best 66.31 to take the lead which she would hold until the final group.
After a disappointing season so far, reigning champion Anastasiia Gubanova returned to form as she landed a triple flip-triple toeloop combination, double Axel and triple Lutz in a clean routine.
The Georgian scored 68.96 to end the day in third place behind the two Belgians.
Last year's surprise bronze medallist Kimmy Repond fell on her triple Lutz and finished the day down in eighth place on 60.34.
Polish champion Ekaterina Kurakova, fourth 12 months ago, was last to skate but fell on her combination and exceeded the time limit for her routine.
Her score of 49.57 was only good enough for 25th place meaning she missed out on the free skate by one spot.
Schedule and timings for 2024 European Figure Skating Championships
All times local Eastern European Time (UTC +2 hours) and subject to change
Thursday 11 January
- 19:00–21:50 – Free skating pairs followed by victory ceremony
Friday 12 January
- 12:00–16:57 – Rhythm dance
- 18:00–21:52 – Free skating men followed by victory ceremony
Saturday 13 January
- 13:00–16:52 – Free skating women followed by victory ceremony
- 18:30–21:50 – Free dance followed by victory ceremony
Sunday 14 January
- 15:30–18:00 – Exhibition gala
Where to watch European Figure Skating Championships 2024
The ISU YouTube channel will carry a live stream of all sessions from Kaunas, subject to territorial restrictions.
In Europe, the competition will be available to watch on Eurosport and some national broadcasters, while NBC holds the rights in the United States – check local listings and Peacock for more information.
Australian fans can watch on SBS On Demand.