Stephen Gogolev Holds Slim Lead After Short Program at Nebelhorn Trophy
Canadian figure skater Stephen Gogolev has taken a tenuous lead in the men’s competition at the Nebelhorn Trophy, held on Thursday, September 25, in Oberstdorf, Germany. With a score of 90.19, Gogolev holds a nearly three-point advantage over American skater Andrew Torgashev, who scored 87.35. This event sits as an integral part of the ISU Challenger Series, attracting top talent from across the globe.
The competition proved fierce, featuring tight scores among the elite skaters. Following Gogolev and Torgashev, Japan’s Tomono Kazuki sits in third place with a commendable score of 86.43. Meanwhile, the leaderboard is rounded out by Switzerland’s Lukas Britschgi at 84.16 and Canada’s Roman Sadovsky trailing with 78.44.
Gogolev’s short program showcased technical skill and precision. He opened with a stunning quadruple toe, triple toe combination, flawlessly executing a quad Salchow and a smooth triple Axel to display his diverse jumping ability. His performance was set to a vibrant mix dubbed “Mugzy’s Move Medley” by Eddie Nichols, captivating both the judges and the audience alike.
Torgashev also demonstrated great promise with a clean short program, although his routine featured slightly lower-difficulty jumps. He landed a triple toe, a triple Axel, and followed up with a triple flip, triple toe combination, showcasing his competitive edge.
As the tension mounts heading into the men’s free skate scheduled for Friday, September 26, all eyes are on Gogolev as he aims to solidify his lead and claim victory. With thrilling performances expected across various categories, including pairs and women’s short programs, the Nebelhorn Trophy continues to promise excitement as the event unfolds.
