Italy’s Lucrezia Beccari and Matteo Guarese caused a huge surprise on Thursday by winning the pair’s gold medal with a performance to the music of “Cats” at the European Figure Skating Championships.
At the end of Wednesday’s short program, 20-year-old Beccari and 35-year-old veteran Gualidze were in third place, with a total of 199.19 points thanks to a flawless performance in the free section.
She defeated Anastasia Metelkina and Luca Berlava, who scored 196.16 points. Georgia’s pair dominated the short program.
For Gualidze, this was his first European Championship medal in 10 attempts.
Despite the continued suspension of Russian athletes, Italy won the bronze medal with Rebecca Ghirardi and Filippo Ambrosini (195.68 points).
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Germany’s Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin, who were second overnight, dropped to fifth overall.
Meanwhile, in the women’s title race, Roena Hendricks, looking to make up for her loss in 2023, rose to the top after the short program.
The Belgian was the favorite for gold 12 months ago, but was forced to settle for second place after losing to Georgia’s Anastasia Gubanova and falling twice in the free skate.
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But on Thursday, the 24-year-old world championship bronze medalist took control with a score of 74.66.
“I was surprised that my score was this high,” said Hendrix, who completed his routine, which included a triple flip, double axel, triple Lutz/triple toe, as well as Level 4 lifts and spins.
“It’s very risky to do that (jump combination) late in the program, and that’s in my mind too, because I think I’m one of the few people who do it.”
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He added, “I think I prepared very well and I was very confident.”
Belgian compatriot Nina Pinzarone was second with 69.70 points, while Gubanova was third with 68.96 points.