Niina Petrokina of Estonia celebrated a golden comeback at the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2026 on Friday to seal back-to-back titles. 

Steely Petrokina retains European title

Two months ago, she was recovering from injury and did not even know if she could compete at the ISU European Championships. Now she has done it again: in Sheffield’s Utilita Arena, Estonia’s wonderwoman Niina Petrokina skated off with her second ISU European title with 25 points to spare.

Belgium’s Loena Hendrickx returned to the European podium to take silver after missing the past season, and Lara Naki Gutmann made Italy proud by claiming bronze, the first medal for an Italian woman since 2018.

Short Program leader Petrokina skated last and laid down a powerful performance to “Dune”, reeling off seven triples and level-four spins and footwork. At the end, the Estonian Champion happily pumped her fist. She knew he had done enough.

Petrokina scored a personal best of 145.53 points and totaled 216.14 points to strike gold once again.

Niina Petrokina (EST) retained her ISU European Championship title by almost 25 points with a powerful performance to 'Dune' © ISU

“During the whole program I was trying to just focus and was trying to forget that it’s the Europeans and I thought of it as of another practice,” the 21-year-old shared. 

“It was really hard but I did it again and I hope to repeat it again one day.

“The first time [to win] was a shock,” she commented. 

“This time I came here to win and to show again that I can do it. In Estonia, some people told me it’s unreal to win a second time, and I wanted to prove that it’s real. 

“My second title gives me much more power for the Olympics.”

Belgium’s Hendrickx turned in a passionate Flamenco that featured four clean triple jumps. The 2024 ISU European Champion scored 127.92 points and rose from fifth to second at 191.26 points overall. 

Loena Hendrickx (BEL) returned after a season-long injury to win silver, her fourth medal at the ISU European Championships © ISU

It was Hendrickx’s fourth medal at the ISU European Championships.

“I was relieved to know there was still a chance to come back to my level,” said Hendrickx, who did not compete the past season while recovering from ankle surgery. 

“From past injuries, I knew I could return. My love for skating is strong - that’s what kept me going,” she continued.

“I hope my form [at the Olympic Games] will be better than it was here,” Hendrickx added. 

“I’ll work as hard as I did for this goal. It’s very special to go to my third Olympics, and I want to enjoy it. I’m proud of what I’ve already achieved.”

The crowd at the Utilita Arena also loved Gutmann’s original program to music from the “Jaws” soundtrack and showered the ice with shark toys.

The Italian Champion was ranked fourth with 123.12 points in the Free Skating but overall pulled up to third at 186.87 points to win her first ISU Championship medal. 

Italian Champion Lara Naki Gutmann marked 50 years of 'Jaws' with her bronze-medal winning program to music from the film © ISU

“The crowd was amazing,” Gutmann told the post-event press conference. 

“I really appreciated that they chose to throw a lot of sharks. It’s always so nice, and I love it.”

Like Petrokina and Hendrickx, Gutmann’s next stop will be the Olympic Winter Games in her home country. 

“My team and I will work a lot in the next weeks. I have a lot to process from this competition,” the Italian noted. 

“My performances weren’t perfect. The qualification for the Olympics required me to earn my spot. The first part of the season has been pretty tough. I need to realize everything I did here and come back stronger for the next one.”

Hendrickx, Petrokina and Gutmann show off their ISU European Championship medals but thoughts will soon turn to the Olympic challenge in Milan © ISU

Two-time ISU European bronze medalist Nina Pinzarrone (BEL) slipped from second to fourth at 18.40 points while 2023 ISU European Champion Anastasiia Gubanova (GEO) climbed from 11th place to fifth on 184.36. Gubanova turned in the second-best Free Skating of the night with her emotional performance to “Ghost”. 

Sarina Joos (ITA) rounded up the top six (180.84 points), while Anna Pezzetta (ITA) dropped from third to eighth place (177.14 points). 

Find more comments of the skaters and the press conference highlights on the ISU event website in the “For Media” section. For more information, also see the Facts & Figures published on the ISU event website. 

What & When

The schedule of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2026 is as follows:

Wednesday, January 14: Pairs & Women’s Short Programs
Thursday, January 15: Men’s Short Program & Pairs Free Skating
Friday, January 16: Rhythm Dance, Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, January 17: Men’s Free Skating & Free Dance
Sunday, January 18: Exhibition Gala
 

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