Title: Top European Championship Pair Skaters to Watch: Minerva-Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin Lead the Pack
In the world of figure skating, the Grand Prix circuits and European Championships are fierce battlegrounds for talent and titles. This year, German duo Minerva-Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin have emerged as strong contenders, leading their team in the competition.
Berlin Victory and European Championship Ambitions
After a triumphant Grand Prix victory in Berlin against some of the world's best skating couples, Minerva-Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin are eyeing the European Championship title in Kaunas, Lithuania, from January 10 to 13 (). With their Berlin win and a place in the competition's favorites, they aim for the podium and hope to bring home a golden medal.
Third-Place Finishers back to Competition
Annika Hocke and Robert Kunkel, third finishers in the previous European Championships, are expected to compete at this year's event (). Despite having to withdraw from the German Championships and the Grand Prix Final in Beijing last year due to Kunkel's back problems, things are looking up. According to DEU sports director Claudia Pfeifer, Kunkel has his injury well under control.
Starostin in the Men's Event and Jagoda's Potential
Nikita Starostin, a Russian-born skater who finished second in Berlin, secures his spot in the men's event due to his impressive results in previous competitions (). However, the future of champion Kai Jagoda is uncertain. While possibly, Jagoda could travel to the World Championships in Montréal, Canada, in March pursuant to Pfeifer's response ().
Women's Event and Ice Dancing
22-year-old Kristina Isaev from Mannheim and three-time German ice dancing champions Jennifer Janse van Rensburg/Benjamin Steffan are set to participate in the European Championships (). Their entrance will enrich the already dynamic pool of skaters.
Previous Performances and Future Aspirations
While the European Championship 2023 line-up's performance is not directly mentioned, we can gather an idea of Hase and Volodin's capabilities from their impressive performance at the 2025 European Championships, which saw them secure the gold medal ().
Enrichment Data
In the 2025 European Championships, Hase and Volodin delivered a powerful showcase, placing first in the short program with 71.59 points and setting the tone with triple Salchows, a throw triple loop, and level-four lift and spin (). In the free skate, their performance to "The Four Seasons" featured a triple twist, triple Salchows, a throw triple loop, and throw triple Salchow, landing first in the free skate and overall with 140.89 points ().
Following in Their Footsteps
Minerva-Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin's journey is an inspiration to aspiring figure skaters worldwide. With their eyes set on future competitions like the Grand Prix Final, which is scheduled to take place in Berlin later, they aim to leave a lasting impact on the figure skating scene.
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