16-Year-Old Russian Skater Wins Women’s European Title

Irina Slutskaya gained the first title for a Russian or former Soviet woman’s singles skater as she ended Surya Bonaly’s bid for a record-equaling sixth straight crown at the European Figure Skating Championships.

Russian, Ukraine and Soviet skaters have finished second 10 times in the women’s event at the Europeans while dominating in pairs, ice dance and, recently, men’s competition. Oksana Baiul, the 1994 Olympic champion, was second to Bonaly at the Europeans twice.

Slutskaya, 16, and last year’s world junior champion, had an outstanding routine to a medley of American music while easily landing six triple jumps, including two in combination.