Le français perd-il de sa puissance: Javier Fernández’s farewell – and the other big moments of the Europeans

Years and years from now, when thinking about 2019 Europeans, what will come to your mind first?
You know the answer to this one: King of Europe saying goodbye to his people, loyal friends and fans.
Goodbye and Thank you.
It goes both ways, of course, since we in Europe have lived a long and happy life during King Javier’s time.
***
We’ll remember our champion, and he’ll remember us. He said it best, in Minsk, when asked why he had chosen Europeans to be his last competitive event.
“The Europeans is more like my house”.
And our hearts were filled with pride and joy.
And everyone in Minsk – skaters, coaches, journalists and fans – understood just how special this farewell moment was.
***
And the excitement, the emotional turmoil of having Javier Fernández skate competitively for the very last time – undoubtedly, the highlight of the entire Championships – was surrounded by so many other heartwarming moments happening in Minsk.
It was as if a celebration required so many other celebrations, more like a multi-coloured bouquet of emotions: Sofia Somodurova’s genuine joy, enthusiasm, when knowing she has won the ladies’ crown, the layer of noblesse, the precious, beautiful patina of Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron, the first ice dance team in history to win Europeans for five times in a row, the royalties Vanessa James and Morgan Ciprès have become, their sureness, confidence while going for the gold in every competition they entered so far this season.
***
And here we are, adding up the layers, one after the other, to build a bigger story, encompassing them all. Remember though: emotions are subjective, and so is this recap.
Selection & story by Florentina Tone, with photos by Natasha Ponarina
SOFIA FLIES
At 16:41 local time, on Wednesday – the first official day of competition – Russia’s Sofia Samodurova takes the ice. She skates to “Nyah” by Hans Zimmer – iconic music for the ladies – and that’s a stunning skate. Plus: her jumps are textbook-Mishin, and by that we mean powerful, impressive.

And she looks a lot less cautious than in the beginning of the season, she looks freer – she got used to the big stage – and the thin-air of the heights, of major competitions, does her good.
At the boards, Alexei Mishin exchanges looks with somebody nearby – the “I told you so, I told you she is golden” kind of looks.
And a sea of Russian flags accompanies Sofia’s debut at the Europeans.
With 72.88 points, a season best, and with the highest technical score of the day, she finishes the SP segment of the ladies’ event on the second place.
And she is happy. Very happy.