Sara Conti and Niccolò Macii skip the 2026 European Figure Skating Championships
In a disappointing turn of events for Italian figure skating fans, the celebrated pair of Sara Conti and Niccolò Macii announced they would not compete at the upcoming 2026 European Figure Skating Championships in Sheffield, Great Britain, scheduled from January 14 to 18. This withdrawal comes on the heels of a knee injury sustained by Conti during a training session.
Just last season, the duo achieved an impressive feat by winning the 2023 European Championships and securing the silver medal at the continental level. They further showcased their skills on the world stage, wrapping up the season with a spectacular bronze medal at the 2025 World Championships. Their remarkable trajectory this season included clinching their third career Italian title and landing on the podium twice in the prestigious ISU Grand Prix series. Notably, they triumphed at the NHK Trophy and secured a second-place finish at the Cup of China.
The duo’s recent performance at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, Japan, solidified their status as one of the foremost pairs in figure skating when they placed second. After careful consideration and consultations with medical personnel and their federation, Conti and Macii decided to prioritize their health. They are currently taking a few days of rest but remain focused on their preparations for the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina, set to commence on February 6.
Despite the absence of Conti and Macii, the Italian slots at the European Championships will still be occupied by pairs Rebecca Ghilardi/Filippo Ambrosini and Irma Caldara/Riccardo Maglio, who will carry the nation’s hopes into the competition.
The figure skating community will certainly miss watching Conti and Macii showcase their talent at this pivotal event, but everyone is eager to see them return to peak performance in Milano Cortina.
