A jubilant Ekaterina Kurakova gave an outstanding performance in the free skate, finishing 12^th in the women’s single skating

The figure skater started the free skate phase of the competition in 24^th place, after a below par performance in the short program. However, Kurakova did not let that phase her as she gave an inspired performance, the elegance of which captured everyone who was allowed in the Capital Indoor Stadium, leading for much of the competition and eventually finishing 12^th.

In an event which had the eyes of the sporting world on it, following the doping news of Kamila Valieva, Kurakova showed incredible mental strength to claw her way up the rankings. The 19 year old demonstrated this is a competition about the mind as much as it is the body, showing the strength and finesse required to work through the elements of the routine with such a panache.  

Upon completing her routine, Kurakova could not contain her relief at her performance which left Poland with its best result in the figure skating at an Olympic Games since Lillehammer 1994.

After her routine, an elated Kurakova told Eurosport.pl, “I cannot say that I am unhappy with my performance in the short program. I know that I made mistakes, but the aim was the free program and I have achieved my goal. I am pleased with my effort, because not everyone after a series of errors can focus. I was able to do just that.”

The figure skater added, “I gave everything so, of course, I feel tired. But it’s probably the best kind of result when you feel that you have left all of yourself out there on the ice.”

Speed skaters Karolina Bosiek and Andżelika Wójcik will be able to relate to that feeling after they returned to the rink to compete in the women’s 1000m. Bosiek finished in 17^th place in a time of 1:16.54, 3.35 seconds behind the winner, whilst Wójcik took 20^th, only 0.35 seconds behind her compatriot. Both skaters started very strongly, matching the speed of the front runners, but fell short in the final quarter of the race.

Although the skaters will have had desires of challenging further up the standings, finishing in the top 20 is a solid result for Poland, with the team still able to hit their prime in four years time. Whisper it carefully, but this team might really deliver in Milano Cortina 2026.