MOSCOW, Jan 14, Oleg Bogatov. Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin did a great job rhythm dance program at the European Figure Skating Championships in Tallinn, the couple has made serious progress and is able to compete with world leaders, said Natalya Bestemyanova, champion and Olympic silver medalist in ice dancing. Stepanova and Bukin scored 86.45 points on Friday, showing career best score in rhythm dance. Athletes take second place, behind only the reigning world champions Victoria Sinitsina and Nikita Katsalapov (87.89). In third position are the Italians Charlene Gignard and Marco Fabbri (83.35). The free dance duets will be presented on Saturday. «I think that Stepanova and Bukin have added a lot over the past few months,» Bestemyanova said. «I have never seen them skate so (well) in my life. I am very pleased with their rental. «can fight for leadership in the team. But let's see how they will skate and how Vika and Nikita will skate. I'm for a fair fight.» emphasized the interlocutor of the agency.
