In a remarkable turn of events, Poland’s ice dancing hopes are rekindled as the duo Julia Szczecinina and Michał Woźniak secures a spot in the European Championships final in Kowno. This achievement marks the nation’s return to the pairs figure skating competition after an agonizing eleven-year hiatus.
A Debut with Determination
Formerly representing Hungary and an Olympic contender in Beijing, Szczecinina found herself without a partner due to a positive COVID test. Seizing the opportunity, Woźniak, facing challenges in Poland’s figure skating scene, proposed teaming up with Szczecinina, a Russian-born skater residing in Switzerland.
Despite minor setbacks in Szczecinina’s landings, the duo outperformed Czech and Ukrainian pairs, securing a commendable score of 53.61. This not only brought them close to their personal best but also assured them a spot in the top sixteen, setting the stage for their free program on Thursday at 19:00.