With the Olympics coming in Milano Cortina, there’s been an awakening of a dark horse from the past few seasons. The revelation of Lara Naki Gutmann as a contender has never been clearer, in this lead-up to her home Olympics, she can certainly make a huge statement by being the surprise winner of the event—and it’s a real possibility. The field will be quite unpredictable with a number of skaters returning from injury earlier this season. How will they fare and who will make it to the podium this week in Sheffield?
Europeans predictions
Official hashtag: #EuroFigure
GOLD Lara Naki Gutmann ITA - She’s been on a roll this season. Whatever it is that has jumpstarted Gutmann’s consistency has also been very good for her reputation with the international panels. She has been known by fans over the past few seasons as one of the most creative skaters out there, with programs and music choices that only she would dare to seek out. Among the skaters here, she, Gubanova, and Hendrickx have the highest scores of the season, and she’s been consistently in the 190-205 range internationally. A first European title here would be perfect timing going into her home Olympics.
SILVER Anastasiia Gubanova GEO - She’s finished first or second at Europeans for the past three years, and she very much feels at home at this competition. She’s also been very consistent this season, much like Gutmann, and the two were just at Skate America, where Gubanova bested Gutmann by just 0.40 for the bronze. A second European title here for Gubanova is very much within grasp.
BRONZE Loena Hendrickx BEL - The short program has been her issue this season, and she returns to her first Europeans after winning here two years ago looking to put together a clean competition. Illness forced her to withdraw from Finlandia Trophy, her last competition, and fans will be curious to see where she is after that.
4. Iida Karhunen FIN - The new Finnish national champion has not been named to the Olympic team yet, and staying consistent this week at Europeans, her biggest international competition yet, will be key to that spot. She has only improved during her first senior season with every competition, and she is a dark horse this week in Sheffield.
5. Niina Petrokina EST - Speaking of dark horses, the reigning European champion is back after making a comeback from injury mid-season. She won Estonian Nationals but will also need to skate well here and beat the other two Estonian women to assure herself of the sole Olympic spot in Milano Cortina. If her lutz and flip are back in form, a return to the podium is very possible.
6. Lorine Schild FRA - At Grand Prix de France, Schild had two of the best skates of her career. She comes in having beaten Lea Serna at French Nationals and earning the Olympic spot. She will have an outside shot at the podium.
7. Sarina Joos ITA - The 2024 Italian champion qualified for Worlds two years ago and was sixth at this event, but she had a reset last season and took most of it off. This season has been a return to form, most recently with a second-place finish at Italian Nationals.
8. Kimmy Repond SUI - It will be Repond’s first competition of the season after withdrawing from everything while recovering from a foot injury. She was fourth here last season.
9. Nina Pinzarrone BEL - The bronze medalist the past two years, Pinzarrone is also returning from injury this season. Her sole international competition at Golden Spin was less than ideal, but she has gotten some competition mileage under her belt in advance of Europeans.
10. Anna Pezzetta ITA - After a strong start to her season with a silver medal at Nepela Trophy, everything has been trending downward for the talented Pezzetta, who has had trouble staying consistent this season.