Ugozhaev Tops Gumennik at Russian Grand Prix in Krasnoyarsk
The Russian Grand Prix stage in Krasnoyarsk showcased a competitive field in single skating, with Nikolai Ugozhaev emerging as a standout performer in the men's singles. The 18-year-old from Novosibirsk outperformed seasoned competitor Pyotr Gumennik by over four points, achieving a score above 100 in the short program. Ugozhaev's routine included a quad flip and a quad lutz, both executed flawlessly, earning him praise from the judges despite admitting he could improve further.
In the women's category, the competition was fierce, with Anna Frolova and Sofya Muravyova vying for the lead. Frolova, who recently won in Magnitogorsk, delivered a solid performance, while Muravyova faced challenges due to illness, finishing just behind Frolova. Alina Gorbacheva, another strong contender, struggled with a fall, finishing in sixth place.
Ice Dancing and Pair Skating Results
In ice dancing, Elizaveta Khudaiberdieva and Egor Bazin took the top spot despite some technical shortcomings, while newcomers Vasilisa Kaganovskaya and Maxim Nekrasov showed promise but could not match their competitors in the pattern sequence. Observers noted that Khudaiberdieva and Bazin's routine, set to a familiar theme, lacked the originality needed to stand out.
The pair skating category saw Anastasia Mishina and Alexander Galliamov leading after the first day, although they acknowledged that their performance did not meet their own high standards. They maintained a significant gap over their closest rivals, but both skaters recognized the need for improvement ahead of the upcoming Russian Championship.