World Championships will be ‘much more interesting’ with competition so open – Aljona Savchenko

Six-time world champion Aljona Savchenko believes the open field at the upcoming Figure Skating World Championships will make things very interesting. A number of big names are missing from the championships with Nathan Chen and Yuzuru Hanyu both missing through injury, the top Chinese skaters skipping and the Russian athletes being banned due to the invasion of Ukraine. Ad/> “First of all, it is not unusual for figure skaters to skip the World Championships after the Olympic Games,” Savchenko said during a conversation with Eurosport Germany.

Beijing 2022‘I find it strange’ – Savchenko on Valieva silence17 HOURS AGO “Especially if they have become Olympic champions. I think the US skaters are strong in pairs. It will be difficult for the Europeans.

“In the men's singles, the Japanese, who always have good young skiers coming up, have to be taken into account. In addition, Italy's Daniel Grassl will certainly be aiming for a medal. “In the women's race, the absence of the Russians will make things much more interesting.

This means that the Europeans, such as the Belgian Loena Hendrickx, have a better chance. Hendrickx has made good progress recently and shown interesting programmes. “In addition, there are the Japanese with Kaori Sakamoto and Wakaba Higuchi.