Domnina/Shabalin of Russia win European ice dance gold

Domnina/Shabalin win European ice dance gold

TALLINN, Estonia — Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin of Russia have won gold in ice dancing at the European Figure Skating Championships.

They rode the lead built in the compulsory segment to fend off a strong challenge from Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali. The Italian couple had won the free dance and original dance, but didn’t have enough points to overcome the world-champion Russian couple.

Defending champion Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski of Russia took bronze in Tallinn, Estonia.

Earlier Friday, Carolina Kostner of Italy won the short program, followed by defending champion Kiira Korpi and Laura Lepisto of Finland.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Carolina Kostner of Italy is in the lead after the short program and in position to win her third title at the European Figure Skating Championships.

Kostner, the European champion in 2007 and 2008, landed her jumps with assurance Friday and showed elegant lines in her spins and spirals. She is followed by two Finns — Kiira Korpi and defending champion Laura Lepisto.

The ice dancing free program is also on the schedule. Russian world champions Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin are in the lead. They are challenged by Italy’s Federica Faiella and Massimo Scali of Italy and Russia’s Jana Khokhlova and Sergei Novitski.