Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov couldn't believe they got a medal after their free dance.
Photo: AP, AP
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Silver and Bronze for Russian Skaters
German skaters Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy are in first place at the European Figure Skating Championship in Zagreb, Croatia, after the free program, for the second time in their careers. They have a huge lead of 34 points over Russian second-place pair Maria Mukhortova and Maxim Trankov, who, in turn, are followed by Russian pair Yuko Kawaguchi and Alexander Smirnov. Russians Arina Ushakova and Sergey Karev are in fifth place.
Mukhortova and Trankov's trainer Oleg Vasilyev agreed with Savchenko's statement that his students bear some resemblance to Tatyana Totmyanin and Maxim Marinin. He took umbrage, however, at her presumption to judge his efforts. “That's my work. Aliona probably thought that she was judging my sportsmen, but she ended up judging me,” he said.
Ukrainians Tatyana Volosozhar and Stanislav Morozov's performance in the free program was marred by massive errors on his part. The men's singles were also marked by undistinguished showings. Star skaters Frenchman Brian Joubert, who was visibly nervous, and Swiss Stephane Lambiel put in weak performances, giving Czech skater Tomas Verner a chance to shine. Champion of Russian Sergey Voronin took sixth place.
www.kommersant.com
All the Article in Russian as of Jan. 25, 2008
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