Ksenia Makarova has made great changes in her life in the last month, but one thing that hasn't changed is her talent for figure skating.The Newburgh Free Academy senior posted her season-high score in the short program on Friday and sits in second place at the European Championships in Bern, Switzerland.
Makarova posted a score of 60.35, with a technical elements score of 32.98 and program component score of 27.37.
"I skated today very easily,'' Makarova said on Russian website Sport-Express. "Now all my thoughts are directed in the future.''
Kiira Korpi of Finland is in first place at 63.50. Sarah Meier of Switzerland is third at 58.56. Viktoria Helgesson of Sweden is fourth at 54.70 and Elene Gedevanishvili of Georgia is fifth at 53.68.Makarova changed coaches following the Russian nationals, where she placed fifth. She left Viktor Petrenko, and is now coached by Eugene Rukavitsyn. This is her first competition with her new coach. "My parents told me that staying on top is extremely difficult,'' said Makarova, whose parents, Oleg Makarov and Larissa Selezneva, competed at two Olympics for the Soviet Union. Makarova won the Russian national title in December 2009.
"I am very grateful to Viktor Petrenko for the previous years' work and for suggesting the program this season,'' Makarova added, "but I needed a new experience and other training conditions. I am pleased to return to St. Petersburg (Russia), and I have a great relationship with a new coach.''
Makarova drew the starting position in the fourth and final group to skate on Saturday; she will be the 19th of 24 skaters. Korpi skates third in the group. Makarova skates at approximately 4:06 p.m EST.
Makarova placed ninth at the 2010 European championships. She placed 10th at the Vancouver Olympics and eighth at the World Championships.

News source: Dow Jones Local Media Group
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