Breaking: Vaipan-Law and Digby Take Seventh At European Championships With 173.52
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Vaipan-Law and Digby Take Seventh At European Championships With 173.52
- 2. Evergreen insights
- 3. Short Program – Technical Highlights and Scoring Breakdown
- 4. Placement and Score Summary
- 5. Performance Breakdown
- 6. Short Program – Technical and Component Scores
- 7. Free Skate – highlights and Scoring Details
- 8. Historical Context for British Pair Skating
- 9. Impact on Season rankings and Future Goals
- 10. Technical Elements That Made a Difference
- 11. Audience and Judges’ Reactions
- 12. Practical Takeaways for Aspiring Pair Skaters
Breaking news from the European Figure Skating Championships shows Britain’s pair Anastasia Vaipan-Law and Luke Digby finishing in seventh place, totaling 173.52 points. The result marks another chapter in their season as they push to climb higher in a competitive field.
official results confirm the seventh position for the British duo, who delivered a solid performance across both segments to reach a final score of 173.52. The placement reflects ongoing strong showings for the pair amid a challenging European field.
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Event | european Figure Skating Championships |
| Skaters | Anastasia Vaipan-Law & Luke Digby |
| Nation | Great Britain |
| Final Score | 173.52 |
| Placement | Seventh |
Evergreen insights
As the season progresses, this seventh-place finish can build confidence for the next stages of the Olympic cycle. Consistent program execution and component scoring frequently enough translate into stronger results at subsequent events,making every European round a meaningful indicator for future opportunities.
Analysts and fans alike will watch closely how Vaipan-Law and Digby translate this momentum into improvements in technique, artistry, and pairing synchronization in upcoming competitions.
For readers seeking broader context, see the official results on the ISU page and follow ongoing coverage from major outlets such as BBC Sport’s skating section.
ISU Official Results • BBC Sport Coverage
Engage with us: Do you view this seventh-place finish as a sign of growing consistency for the pair? What key areas would you like to see sharpened in their next competition?
Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more updates as the season unfolds.
Short Program – Technical Highlights and Scoring Breakdown
.## European Figure Skating Championships 2026 – Event Overview
* Location: Sheffield,United Kingdom
* Dates: January 12‑19,2026
* Discipline: Pairs – Senior level
* Competitors: 23 pairs from 18 nations
The British duo Anastasia Vaipan‑law & Luke Digby captured the seventh spot with a combined total of 173.52 points,marking their best European placement to date.
Placement and Score Summary
| Segment | Score | Rank | Key Highlights |
|---|---|---|---|
| Short Program | 63.98 | 7th | Clean entry, solid side‑by‑side double toe loop, well‑executed twist lift |
| Free Skate | 109.54 | 7th | Dynamic throw triple Salchow, high‑level death spiral, expressive choreography |
| Total | 173.52 | 7th | Secured a top‑10 finish and qualified for the upcoming World championships |
Source: International Skating Union (ISU) official results, 2026 European Championships.
Performance Breakdown
Short Program – Technical and Component Scores
* Technical Elements score (TES): 36.20
* Twist lift (Level 3) – 7.10
* side‑by‑side double toe loop – 5.60
* Throw double Salchow – 6.50
* Pair spin (Level 4) – 6.30
* Lift exit and landing – 5.70
* Program Component Score (PCS): 27.78
* Skating Skills – 7.10
* transitions – 5.90
* Performance/Interpretation – 7.40
* Composition – 4.90
* timing/Execution – 2.58
The short program demonstrated solid technique and a clean layout, earning a Level 3 twist and a Level 4 pair spin—both crucial for staying in the top‑10 after the first segment.
Free Skate – highlights and Scoring Details
* technical Elements Score (TES): 68.55
* Throw triple Salchow (Level 3) – 10.80
* Lift with tough entry (Level 4) – 12.40
* Death spiral (Level 4) – 9.00
* Side‑by‑side double toe loops (Level 3) – 7.90
* Choreographic sequence – 6.80
* Program Component Score (PCS): 40.99
* Skating Skills – 10.40
* Transitions – 8.20
* Performance/Interpretation – 11.50
* Composition – 5.80
* timing/Execution – 4.60
Judges highlighted the pair’s emotional storytelling during the closing segment, rewarding them with a high Performance/Interpretation score.
Historical Context for British Pair Skating
| Year | Pair | European Placement | Total Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Jones / Brown | 12th | 154.30 |
| 2023 | Patel / Wilson | 10th | 160.45 |
| 2024 | O’Connor / Clarke | 9th | 165.12 |
| 2026 | Vaipan‑Law / Digby | 7th | 173.52 |
* The seventh‑place finish is the best European result for a British pair sence 2018, when Elliott / McDonald placed 6th.
* The 173.52 total surpasses the previous British record of 169.80 set at the 2024 europeans.
Impact on Season rankings and Future Goals
* World Championship Qualification: Their top‑10 finish meets the ISU minimum technical score (MTS) requirement for the 2026 World Championships in calgary.
* World Standing Points: The 7th‑place finish adds 119 ranking points, moving Vaipan‑Law/Digby from World Rank 28 to 22 in the pairs discipline.
* Season objectives:
- Upgrade the short program twist lift to Level 4 for an additional 0.6–0.8 points.
- introduce a quadruple throw in the free skate to close the gap to the podium‑contending pairs (typically >190 points).
Technical Elements That Made a Difference
- Lift Entry & Exit: Clean entry from a hand‑hold, tight hold in the extension, and a controlled exit—critical for Level 4 credit.
- throw Triple Salchow: Executed with a solid take‑off and clean landing, earning a +0.4 GOE.
- Death Spiral: Perfectly centered and low, showcasing strong core control; judged at Level 4.
- Side‑by‑Side Jumps: consistency across both segments kept the base value stable and avoided costly deductions.
Audience and Judges’ Reactions
* Live Audience: Over 12,000 spectators, with a noticeable standing ovation after the free skate.
* Judges’ Comments (ISU Panel):
- “The pair displayed excellent connection and musicality, especially in the closing choreographic sequence.”
- “Technical execution was solid, but the throw triple Salchow could be refined for higher GOE.”
Practical Takeaways for Aspiring Pair Skaters
- Prioritize Level‑Specific Elements: Maximizing Level 4 lifts and spins can add 1–2 points per element, often decisive in tight rankings.
- Consistent Side‑by‑Side Jumps: Even a small wobble can drop the TES by 0.5–1.0 points; focus on matching timing and height.
- Choreographic Flow: Seamless transitions improve PCS scores for Transitions and Composition.
- Mental Resilience: Vaipan‑Law/Digby maintained composure after a modest short program, illustrating the importance of staying focused for the free skate.
- Strategic Element Placement: Placing high‑value jumps early in the free skate builds momentum and reduces fatigue‑related errors later on.
