Russian skaters looking ominous after day one of European Championships

The 17-year-old, who claimed a stunning European and World title double last year, recorded 78.92 points from her routine in which she placed most of her jumps in the second half of the program – landing cleanly a triple flip/triple toe loop combination followed by a triple loop and a double axel.

"Today, my skating was good for me," she said. "I will try to show my best in the free program on Friday."

Anna Pogorilaya was second with 74.39 to complete a Russian one-two, while five-time European champion Carolina Kostner of Italy was third with 72.40, perfectly executing a triple toe loop/triple toe loop combination and triple loop.

Meanwhile Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov lead in the pairs competition, notching up a personal-best score of 80.82 points in the short program, having nailed a throw triple loop.

The pair are looking to top the podium for the first time after taking bronze at the previous two European championships.

"I'm so happy," Tarasova said. "We just skated for the audience. We're happy."

Vanessa James and Morgan Cipres of France finished more than six points behind despite a personal best short-program score, while Germany’s Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot – bronze medallists last year – were third on 73.76.

Sportsbeat 2017