The European figure skating championships carried on Thursday in Tallin, Estonia, even as the skating world mourned athletes who died in an aircraft collision near Washington, D.C.

Anastasiia Gubanova has taken a narrow lead in the short program as she aims to regain her title at the European figure skating championships.

The European figure skating championships have carried on, even as the skating world mourned athletes who died when an American Airlines jet collided with an Army helicopter near Washington, D.C.

International Skating Union President Jae Youl Kim has held back tears while announcing they will honor athletes and others killed in the mid-air collision near Washington, D.

Gold medalist Niina Petrokina of Estonia, centre, silver medalist Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia, left, and bronze medalist Belgium's Nina Pinzarrone celebrate during the victory ceremony for women free skating competition in the ISU European Figure Skating Championships, Tallinn, Estonia, Friday, Jan. 31, 2025. Credit: AP/Sergei Grits

Minerva Fabienne Hase RNikita Volodin of Germany compete during the pair free skating at ISU European Figure Ska

Minerva Fabienne Hase frontNikita Volodin of Germany compete in pairs short program at ISU European Figure Skatin

An American Airlines jet collided midair with a military helicopter in Washington DC on Wednesday evening, killing 67 people. View on euronews

Estonia's Niina Petrokina overcame a fall to win surprise gold in figure skating at the European Championships.

Coach Alexandr Kirsanov and skaters Angela Yang and Sean Kay were on the plane, Kirsanov's wife, Natalia Gudin confirmed.

TALLINN, Estonia (AP) — Germany's Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin put themselves firmly on course for their first European figure skating title Wednesday in the pairs short program.

Former winner Anastasiia Gubanova of Georgia took a slim lead in the women's singles at the European figure skating championships after Wednesday's short programme. Earlier, Germany's Minerva Fabienne Hase and Nikita Volodin posted the highest score in the pairs short programme.