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Meier skates to second European silver

Ice princesses (from left): Sarah Meier, Carolina Kostner and Laura Lepisto Keystone

Swiss ice-skater Sarah Meier has won her second straight silver medal at the European Figure Skating Championships.

Meier came top in the free routine on Saturday having been fourth after her short programme on Friday, but this failed to propel her past defending champion Carolina Kostner in the Croatian capital Zagreb.

Kostner, from Italy, came second in the free skate, with 111.97 points, and ended with 171.28 overall to become the first Italian woman to win two European titles.

Meier was awarded 113.00 points for her flawless free routine but the 23-year-old from Bülach near Zurich could only finish with 169.44 points overall.

“The half hour after the warm-up was the worst in my life. Each programme seemed like it was going on for ten minutes and I didn’t feel good at all,” Meier said.

“It was quite a different competition from last year. I am happier with this silver medal.”

In 2007 Meier was leading but faltered in the free programme to allow Kostner to win.

“This time [Kostner] did five triples and faltered only on one jump,” Meier said.

After looking strong in the short programme, both Finnish women fell short. Laura Lepisto came third with 166.65 points. Kiira Korpi, who was second entering the free routine, scored 162.22 points and dropped to fifth place behind Julia Sebestyen of Hungary on 162.89.

Meier’s silver comes two days after Switzerland’s Stéphane Lambiel came second in the men’s event.

swissinfo with agencies

Results from the women’s European Figure Skating Championships:

1. Caroline Kostner (Italy) 171,28

2. Sarah Meier (Switzerland) 169,44

3. Laura Lepisto (Finland) 165,65

4. Julia Sebestyen (Hungary) 162,89

5. Kiira Korpi (Finland) 162,22

6. Valentina Marchei (Italy) 153,34

7. Jelene Gedewanischwili (Georgia) 147,09

8. Jenna McCorkell (Britain) 145,57

9. Xenia Doronina (Russia) 144,20

10. Jenni Vahamaa (Finland) 142,40

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