Kostner leads the way at European Figure Skating Championships

ITALY'S Carolina Kostner will take a slender advantage into tomorrow's decisive free program at the European Figure Skating Championships in Estonia.

ON TOP: Italy's Carolina Kostner will start favourite to claim a third European title in Saturday's long program

The two-time champion, who was beaten into second 12 months ago, posted a 65.80 score for her short program to lead Finland's Kiira Korpi by just over 1.5 points.

Reigning champion, Finland's Laura Lepisto, is back in third ahead of Georgia's Elene Gedevanishvili and Russia's Alena Leonova.

Lepisto was a surprise champion in Helsinki last year and has hinted her defence has been overshadowed by anxieties over Olympic qualification.

Only the top two Finnish skaters will advance to Vancouver and 12 months ago three were placed in the top five, to the delight of the home crowd.

However, the 21-year old's worries were eased when Susanna Poykio - the bronze medallist in 2009 - endured a nightmare short program, ranking a distant 18th.

Great Britain's Jenna McCorkell was given a timely reminder about the way standards always increase in Olympic year.

Last year she was fourth following the short program but despite posting a 53.80 personal best today, she is only ranked 11th.

The seven-time British champion is set to make her Olympic debut in Vancouver.  However, she almost didn't compete in Tallinn after suffering a relapse of the viral infection that has hindered her preparations.

 

British number two Karly Robertson, who finished 21st at her European Championship debut last year, lies 23rd after posting a 41.74 personal best short program score.