The European Figure Skating Championships is officially underway. The opening ceremony was held yesterday at the Dom Sportova (Hall of the Sports) arena in Zagreb, Croatia. Dancing skaters took to the ice to perform before, and the Pairs skated their shorts after the ceremony.

Experience won over youthful enthusiasm in Ice Dance as two Russian pairs took the top two places. Boborova and Soloviev skated wonderfully to a polka and a waltz from Russian movie soundtracks, earning enough points to get to first place on the night. However, just one point separates them from team mates, Ilinykh and Katsalapov, who showed disarming enthusiasm and charisma skating to Andijan Polka. The Italian couple, Cappellini and Lanotte, came in third with their endearing dance to the soundtrack of Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

In Pairs, Russians, Volosozhar and Trankov, also took the first place after dazzling the judges and the audience with sizzling charm and humour while skating to music from The Godfather. They took over the four-time European and World champions, Savchenko and Sholkowy, who barely made it to the competition due to a cancelled flight. Savchenko and Shlkowy started off well to Kismet by Bond, but dragged by the end. Berton and Hotarek skated for Italy, winning the audience over with their presentation, but scored 6 points lower than the first two pairs, showing they probably won’t be their threat for the gold.

Men take the ice for the short programme today, while Pairs will be fighting for the medal in the Free Programme this evening.