European Stars Clash in Sheffield

The 2026 ISU European Figure Skating Championships are officially underway at the Utilita Arena in Sheffield, UK. As the final major test before the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, the competition has already delivered a mix of unexpected leaders and veteran dominance. With 163 skaters representing 36 nations, the hunt for continental glory is heating up.

Day 1 Recap (Jan 14): Shocks and Surprises

The first day saw a major shake-up in the standings as rising stars challenged the favorites.

• Pairs Short Program: Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava delivered a flawless performance to take the lead with 75.96 points. They currently hold a narrow lead over the reigning champions from Germany, Minerva Hase and Nikita Volodin, who scored 74.81. Hungary’s Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko sit in third.
• Women’s Short Program: Defending champion Niina Petrokina (EST) leads the field with 70.61 points. In a surprise turn, Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) and Italy’s Anna Pezzetta occupy the second and third spots, while heavy favorite Loena Hendrickx (BEL) currently sits in 5th place following a costly error.

Full Event Schedule

The remaining competition schedule for the week in Sheffield is as follows (all times GMT):

Thursday, January 15 The day begins with the Men’s Short Program from 13:00 to 18:00, featuring top contenders like Daniel Grassl, Lukas Britschgi, and Kevin Aymoz. The evening session from 19:00 to 22:00 will feature the Pairs Free Skating, followed immediately by the first Victory Ceremony of the championships.

Friday, January 16 The afternoon session from 12:00 to 17:00 features the Ice Dance Rhythm Dance, highlighting local favorites Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson. In the evening, the Women’s Free Skating takes place from 18:00 to 22:00, concluding with the crowning of the Women’s European Champion.

Saturday, January 17 The final day of competition sees the Men’s Free Skating and Victory Ceremony from 13:00 to 17:00. The event concludes with the Ice Dance Free Dance and Victory Ceremony from 18:30 to 22:00.

Sunday, January 18 The week of skating finishes with the traditional Exhibition of Champions Gala from 15:00 to 17:00, featuring medalists from all four disciplines.

Source: article by David Coverdale on olympics.com, published January 14, 2026.

Achieve More With VSA: Boost your skills with world-class coaches for just $29/hour. Perfect for skaters, hockey players, dancers, and athletes, VSA offers personalized training 24/7, 365 days a year, anywhere in the world.

By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer