Ice Dance: Zaretskis make impressive start at Euros

Next up for the Israeli duo is the original dance on Thursday.

By ALLON SINAI, AP
zaretskis 88 (photo credit: )
zaretskis 88
(photo credit: )
Israeli brother and sister pairing Alexandra and Roman Zaretski ended Tuesday's compulsory dance at the European Championships in Croatia, Zagreb in seventh position. It is the opening event of the tournament in which two more Israelis will compete - Maxim Shipov in the men's section and Tamar Katz in the women's The result was the highest standing the Zaretskis have achieved since they started to compete in the Europeans two years ago and the best personal score for that section of the competitive programme of 33.12. Next up for the Israeli duo is the original dance on Thursday, with the competition concluding on Friday with the free dance. Isabelle Delobel and Olivier Schoenfelder of France used a bit of the American West to take the lead in the ice dance. With Delobel looking like a dancer from an old-time saloon and Schoenfelder wearing a cowboy's outfit complete with a sheriff's badge, the defending European champions scored 41.25 points. The compulsory round of the ice dance was to the Yankee Polka rhythm. The dance was created by five-time US champions Judy Schwomeyer and Jim Sladky in 1970. It contrasts with the more traditional dances such as the Viennese waltz - especially with the lighthearted music. "It was not a fun dance for us so we chose something to make it easier for us to dance," Schoenfelder said. "She is the bar girl and I am the sheriff. I wanted to have a gun but I didn't want to take the risk. It might be too much." Oksana Domnina and Maxim Shabalin found it different to dance to an American favorite and ended up in second place with 40.25 points. Later Tuesday, Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany were due to begin their the defense of the pairs title in the short program. On Wednesday, Stephane Lambiel and Brian Joubert will begin their duel in the men's event.