FIGURE SKATING
Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) wins Men’s Short Program at European Championships
30 Jan 2025
Two-time ISU European Champion Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) won the Men’s Short Program as the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2025 continued in Tallinn (EST) Thursday.
It was a sad day for the Figure Skating community as the news of the tragic accident involving an American Airlines flight reached Tallinn in the morning. A minute's silence was observed at the beginning of the competition and ISU Representative Mr Gyorgy Elek delivered a speech. Please see the ISU statement for more information.
Siao Him Fa (FRA) on track for Euros hat-trick
Reigning champion Siao Him Fa remained on track to defend his title in winning the Men’s Short Program ahead of Georgia’s Nika Egadze and Vladimir Samoilov of Poland while some of the favorites faltered. Both Egadze and Samoilov are in medal positions at the ISU European Championships for the first time.
Siao Him Fa put in an emotional performance to “S.O.S. d’un terrien en detresse”, landing a quad toe-triple toe combination and a triple Axel as well as difficult spins, but he stepped out of the quad Salchow. The 2024 ISU World bronze medalist scored 93.12 points.
Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) put in an emotional performance to sit on top of the podium after the Men's Short Program © ISU
“In fact, I'm very happy with my performance. It hasn't all gone perfectly. I know where I'm coming from,” he said.
“It's a difficult season, so we've come a long way, and the preparation was very tough, not only physically, but especially mentally - it's been a lot of work on myself and it's been a long road and this isn't the end, it's just the beginning.
“The result isn't what matters most to me, especially today,” Siao Him Fa continued.
“Today there was catastrophic news about what happened in the United States, where a lot of young skaters, coaches and parents died in the flight [accident]. And it's very, very sad. It's not easy when you hear this news. I also wanted to dedicate this program, this performance to them and their close ones.”
Skating to “L’Enfer” by Stromae, Egadze pulled off a quad Salchow-triple toeloop, quad toeloop, triple Axel and level-four steps.
Nika Egadze (GEO) attributed his second-place score to being more calm and relaxed when it comes to competitions © ISU
“I’m trying to be more calm in the competition, control every movement, and I think it goes better and better,” Egadze shared. “I’m happy about it and I will work more on my second score which is lower than my technical.”
“I think I have to rest today and tomorrow, not think about figure skating, do something else because when you are always focused on figure skating, you are more nervous. I have to calm down and go into the free relaxed,” he added.
Samoilov delivered a personal best performance to “Weapon of Choice” and “Rockafella Skank” that was highlighted by a quad Salchow, triple Axel and triple Lutz-triple toe combination. He netted 85.98 points, a new personal best.
Vladimir Samoilov (POL) achieved a personal best to lie third after the Short Program and thanked the Tallinn crowd for their support © ISU
“I can’t believe it, I’m shocked,” Samoilov said about coming third.
“The performance was good, am very satisfied, it was a bit hard and a bit hot, but the crowd supported me so much, I had a good start and it drove me till the end.”
The skaters ranked fourth to seventh are all very close to the podium and a lot can happen in the Free Skating on Saturday. Three-time European medalist Matteo Rizzo (ITA) remained within striking distance of the podium on 85.68 points followed by teammate Nikolaj Memola (84.92 points). Mihhail Selevko (EST) is sitting in sixth place (84.85 points) while his brother and reigning ISU European silver medalist Aleksandr Selevko is currently ranked seventh (84.65 points).
The Men’s event concludes with the Free Skating on Saturday.
What and when
The schedule of the ISU European Championships 2025 is as follows:
Wednesday, January 29: Pairs and Women’s Short Programs
Thursday, January 30: Men’s Short Program and Pairs Free Skating
Friday, January 31: Rhythm Dance & Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, February 1: Free Dance & Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, February 2: Exhibition Gala
For more information, full entry lists and results, visit the ISU event page of the ISU European Championships 2025 and the official event website of the Championships. Check out the Facts & Figures for extra information. Follow the discussion on social media using #EuroFigure and #FigureSkating.
Where to watch the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2025:
The ISU European Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.
Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.
Stay connected with the ISU:
ISU website: ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2025
ISU Newsletter: Subscribe to our weekly Newsletter to get the latest news and press releases
