The European Championships in women’s single skating drew sharp words from world champion and coach Maria Butyrskaya, who criticized the judging during the event. She pointed to Anastasia Gubanova, who competes for Georgia but was born in Russia, as a skater she believes faced unfair scrutiny. Butyrskaya’s outspoken remarks, carried by Sports Express, highlighted a broader debate about judging standards and national eligibility in a competition that features skaters from many countries, including former rivals who now compete under new banners.
Butyrskaya asked a pointed question about the judging process: are judges truly considering every athlete with equal weight? She argued that Gubanova, a Russian-born skater now representing Georgia, should be evaluated on her performance and technique rather than national origins. The coach insisted that Gubanova has demonstrated clean technique and careful skating, countering the impression of underestimation that she felt had been conveyed by some judges. The emphasis, in Butyrskaya’s view, was on fairness and objective assessment in a field that rewards precision, artistry, and consistency across all programs.
The championship results showed a familiar pattern for the event’s medalists and contenders. A trio of skaters finished the competition with strong scores in the long program and short program, reflecting a tight field and a balance of technical elements and artistic interpretation. The winning score, which combined the short program and free skate, surpassed the previous benchmark, signaling a rising standard of performance among new European contenders. A fellow Belgian, Luna Hendricks, secured the European title with a total that placed her just ahead of the field, underscoring the depth of talent available in the region. Hendricks’ compatriot Nina Piznarron also delivered a podium-worthy performance, rounding out the top three with a competitive total in the mid-two‑hundreds range. These results illustrate the growing competitiveness of European women’s skating and the impact of athletes who train across borders to represent nations that support their development and competitive ambitions.
Gubanova, originally from Tolyatti, Russia, transitioned to Georgian sports citizenship in 2021 and began competing for Georgia’s national team. This switch reflects a broader trend in international skating where athletes adapt their national affiliations for various competitive or strategic reasons. The decision to compete under a Georgian banner has been part of a larger discussion about how national teams assemble their rosters in a sport that emphasizes global mobility and residency-based eligibility. The move has generated both support and debate among fans and officials who weigh the implications of cross-border participation in high-stakes events.
Historically, the event’s participation has been shaped by broader geopolitical dynamics in sport. For the second year in a row, Russian skaters did not participate in the tournament, a fact linked to a broader call in early 2022 by the International Olympic Committee. The IOC advised international federations to restrict participation of athletes from Russia and Belarus as part of a coordinated response to ongoing geopolitical concerns. In turn, the International Skating Union suspended competitors from both nations, shaping the field and influencing the distribution of medals and opportunities for skaters from other regions. This backdrop continues to influence how fans interpret performances and how coaches and commentators frame results in light of eligibility and fairness considerations.
In the broader historical arc of the sport, notable figures have sometimes competed for different teams under formal agreements that allow changes in nationality or representation. The story of one Russian skater who briefly appeared under a Georgian banner underscores the enduring tensions and dynamic mobility that characterize elite figure skating. As the sport evolves—driven by coaching innovations, training hubs across Europe and North America, and strategic partnerships—the dialogue around fairness, eligibility, and merit remains central to the fan experience and the governance of competition.