European Figure Skating Championships: Kristen Spurs ‘grateful’ for final performance of father

Earlier, local champion Luke Digby and his partner Anastasia Faiban-Lou put themselves on track to achieve their best finish in continental competition in the doubles event.

Sheffield’s Digby and Fabian Law are in fifth place after the short programme.

Their previous best result at the European Championships was fifth in 2025, the best performance in competition for a British pair in 30 years – and they can surpass it with a strong showing in the free skate tomorrow.

Given a raucous reception at Utilita Arena and a rendition of Patrick Watson’s popular song Lighthouse, they executed a flawless performance.

The four-time British champion scored 63.98 points. The current leaders are Anastasia Metelkina of Georgia and Luka Perulava with a score of 75.96.

Metelkina and Perulava performed Bolero, the song used by Dame Jane Torvill and Sir Christopher Dean when they won Olympic gold in 1984.

It was a doubly impressive display given that the Georgian team only arrived in the UK on Tuesday – the day before the competition – due to an issue with their visas.

Despite performing with minimal training, Metelkina and Birulava are ahead of Minerva Fabienne Haase and Nikita Volodin with a time of 74.81.

The Germans are European champions and heavy gold medal favorites but did not produce a perfect performance, with Haas putting her hand on the ice after a spin.

Wednesday’s short programs focused on technical skills, with more technical free skating to come. The total scores from both events will determine the winner.

The pair’s free skating competitions will be held on Thursday evening, and the women’s competitions will conclude on Friday.