European Championships

The European Championships is the most important short track competition in Europe every year.

The competitions is only open to European countries and is highly regarded by the skaters. Because this competition is only for European countries, it offers a more level playing field than the World Cups where the European countries have to compete against countries which can commit more money and more resources to their skating programs.

The European Championships is organized in standard short track competition format. The competition is held over 3 days. Day one is the 1500m; day two is the 500m; day three is the 1000m and 3000m. Relays are held at the end of individual competition every day culminating in the relay final on the last day.

The most dominant male skater in the last decade has been Fabio Carta (ITA) who has won the European Championships 7 times. His major rival during those years was Bruno Loscos (FRA) who retired in 2002. After the 2006 Winter Olympics, Fabio will retire passing his crown to Nicola Rodigari who has won the Europeans twice now.

For the ladies, Evgenia Radanova (BUL) has been European champion 6 times and continues to be the dominant European female skater. However, Evgenia is starting to get competition with the new crop of young skaters. Tatiana Bordulina (RUS) won Championships from Evgenia in 2005 and lost it again to her in 2006. Tatiana beating Evgenia in 2005 was pretty impressive feat considering Evgenia has been European Champion from 2000-2004.

Another female skater that has the potential to the be the next Radanova is Arianna Fontana (ITA) who in 2006 at the age 15 placed 2nd Overall. Only time will tell if any European skater will come close to Evgenia's dominance in Europe over the last decade.