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Niina Petrokina struck an historic gold medal for Estonia, becoming the first figure skater from the country to win an ISU Championship title at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2025 in Tallinn (EST) Friday. 

Petrokina won what was an exciting and high-class Women’s final, making history by becoming the first Estonian skater to win an ISU Championship title and the first Estonian woman to win an ISU Championships medal of any color.

Overnight leader Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia claimed silver and her third consecutive medal at the ISU European Championships, while Belgium’s Nina Pinzarrone repeated her bronze medal showing from 2024.

The crowd at the Tondiraba Ice Hall cheered loudly when Petrokina took to the ice, and cheered even louder when she landed her opening double Axel-triple toeloop, triple Lutz and triple loop.

They gasped when Petrokina stumbled and fell on a transition step, but the 2023 Skate America bronze medalist recovered instantly to pull off three more triples and a double Axel in her program set to the “Dune” soundtrack. 

She collected a level four for her spins and footwork to post a new personal best of 139.24 points, bringing her total to 208.18 points, another personal best for the Estonian champion.

Niina Petrokina (EST) recovered from an early fall to set a personal best and win gold in front of her home crowd in Tallinn © ISU

“Every day when I found out the Europeans will be in Tallinn it was my dream [to win] and today it came true,” Petrokina said. 

The little glitch in her performance did not throw her off at all. 

“It’s this small fall that helped me to recover every jump and skate a clean program because I always make some kind of mistake,” she explained, laughing.  

“Now the level of Estonian figure skating is much higher than it was before and of course small kids will go to the competition with more emotions and they will train harder,” the new European Champion said when asked about the impact of her success for Estonian figure skating. 

“I always train hard but I’m happy I did both my programs clean in this competition. It’s my best score, I’m really happy for myself and for Estonia.”

After Petrokina’s performance, there was still one more skater to come, Short Program leader Gubanova. The 2023 ISU European Champion put out an excellent performance of her ethereal program to “Balder” and “Freya” that included five clean triple jumps.

However, two spins were rated a level two and two jumps were under-rotated. The Georgian set a season’s best of 129.62 points but slipped to second place at 198.61 points overall. 

Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) led after the Short Program but her season's best score wasn't enough to stay on the top step of the podium © ISU

“Of course today was really hard and I felt the stress and extra nervousness, but am glad I managed to pull myself together and gave a decent skate,” Gubanova commented. 

“Indeed the season has ups and downs and it was important for me to focus and show what I have worked on. I am glad I made it. Every competition is a huge experience for each athlete. It’s not easy to do our best and when we go out and show our best it’s really cool.” 

Pinzarrone stood in fourth place following the Short Program, but was not far off the podium. The 2023 ISU European bronze medalist turned in another good performance but struggled with some under-rotations. The Belgian Champion earned 124.64 points and moved up to third to claim her second consecutive European bronze medal with 191.44 points. 

Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) moved up from fourth to third to earn her second consecutive bronze medal at the ISU European Championships  © ISU

“Of course it was a bit in my head that it was possible (to get on to the podium), but I tried not to think about it too much because it would put too much pressure on me,” Pinzarrone acknowledged. 

“It was still too much in my head so I had some nerves going into the free skate. 

“I know I made mistakes on the technical side but I also know I made progress in my artistic side, and I’m also very happy with my progress this season and I am motivated to put those two things together and to make one piece with the technical side and the artistic side. I am even more motivated to work on it.” 

Kimmy Repond (SUI) slipped from third to fourth after missing two jumps (186.64 points). Newcomer Anna Pezzetta (ITA) placed fifth in her debut at the ISU European Championships (186.19 points) followed by teammate Lara Naki Gutmann on 181.51 points. 

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.

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Stay connected with the ISU: 

ISU website:                 ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2025 

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