Student of the severe Eteri Tutberidze in Moscow and still undefeated in this Olympic season, Valieva became the first skater to cross the bar of 90 points after a short program.

In pairs, European gold was awarded Thursday evening to young Russians Anastasia Mishina (20) and Aleksandr Galliamov (22), already reigning world champions and ideally launched towards the Olympic deadline.

With a total score of 239.82 points, a new world record, Mishina and Galliamov climbed to the first step of a 100% Russian podium, completed by Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov (236.43) and Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kozlovskii (227.23).

With precisely 90.45 points collected after an impeccable performance, Valieva did better than her 87.42 points obtained at the Russian Grand Prix at the end of November.

And, above all, much, much better than its opponents: the closest is pushed back to more than fourteen points.

The Russian couple Anastasia Mishina-Aleksandr Galliamov distinguished themselves at the Figure Skating Euros in Tallinn, January 13, 2022 Daniel MIHAILESCU AFP

"I really felt like I was in my program today (Thursday), telling a story, it's a nice feeling when you're skating and forgetting about your body, it's so intoxicating," says Valieva, who seems to be heading for her first international title.

The free program is scheduled for Saturday evening.

Towards a first coronation

Surprise, it's not another Russian behind her, but the Belgian Loena Hendrickx (76.25).

"I still can't believe it, Russian skaters are so strong," she says.

Alexandra Trusova and Anna Shcherbakova, the two compatriots of Valieva also trained by Tutberidze, ranked "only" third (75.13) and fourth (69.15).

The first fell on her triple Axel, the second, reigning world champion, was deprived of a jumpsuit by a fall.

And the two admitted to being “upset”.

"When I got on the ice, it took me back two years to the Junior Worlds" in the Estonian capital already, where she had adorned herself with gold, remembers Valieva.

"It's like I never left, I feel like home, maybe it helped me."

Russian Kamila Valieva during the short program at the Figure Skating Euros in Tallinn, January 13, 2022 Daniel MIHAILESCU AFP

The young skater also grabbed the world records for the free program (185.29) and the total score (272.21) this season.

"Getting these scores means I'm going in the right direction, that I'm working the right way, and it motivates me to keep going," she says.

In 2021, the European competition had been canceled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

© 2022 AFP