British figure skater Kristen Spours expressed her gratitude after performing one final time in front of her father at the European Figure Skating Championships in Sheffield. The 25-year-old, who is set to retire from competitive skating later this year, has faced a challenging recovery following spinal surgery after an injury sustained in March 2025.
Despite these obstacles, Spours’ performance in the women’s short program earned her 22nd place, advancing her into the top 24 free skate, where the final standings and medal positions will be determined on Friday.
Overcoming Injury and Mental Health Challenges
Spours openly discussed the impact her injury had on her skating this season.
“I was happy with what I was able to perform. It is frustrating because with my injury I’m not able to do everything I would like to do. But I was really happy with how I conducted myself,” she said.
She also highlighted the mental challenges she faced throughout the year:
“I have really struggled with my mental health, especially getting back on the ice. Getting back has really proved to myself that I can still cope in a high-pressure environment.”
The European Championships marked a particularly meaningful moment for Spours, as her father, who cannot travel to events like the Winter Olympics in Milan due to health issues, was able to watch her compete in Sheffield for the last time.
“I am really grateful to have my family here. I am planning to retire after [the World Championships in] Prague, so this is the last time my dad will ever see me skate,” Spours added.
Her short program score of 50.70 points was a season-best, reflecting her resilience and determination despite limited physical capacity.
British Skating Team Highlights
While Spours advanced to the free skate, fellow British skater Nina Povey was eliminated after scoring 46.11 points for 31st place in the short program.
Meanwhile, home favorites Luke Digby and Anastasia Vaipan-Law impressed in the pairs event, placing fifth after the short program and setting themselves up for a potential career-best finish. Performing to the folk-inspired track Lighthouse by Patrick Watson, the Sheffield-based pair delivered an error-free routine, earning 63.98 points.
Their previous best European finish, also fifth place in 2025, marked the best result by a British pair in three decades. The duo now have the chance to surpass that achievement during Thursday’s free skate.
Currently, the leaders in the pairs event are Georgia’s Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava, who scored 75.96 points despite arriving in the UK only a day before the competition due to visa issues. The reigning European champions from Germany, Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin, are second on 74.81 points, having made a minor error in their routine.
Looking Ahead
The pairs free skate will take place Thursday evening, followed by the women’s free skate on Friday, where Kristen Spours will complete her final European performance. These free skates will showcase both technical skills and artistry, determining the final standings and medal positions.
For Spours, the European Championships have been about more than rankings—they represent personal achievement, resilience, and family support, marking a memorable conclusion to her competitive figure skating career.
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