By Xiangxuan Kong

Beijing – Georgia, Belgium, China and two individual neutral athletes secured the five quotas for the women’s event at Skate to Milano on September 20.

Individual neutral athlete Adeliia Petrosian led by 0.64 after the short program and was the last to skate in the evening. Skating to “Yo Soy Maria”, Petrosian nailed all the technical elements in her program, including two triple combos and a triple Flip in the second half. Winning both the short and free programs with a total of 209.63, Petrosian secured the first quota for the 2026 Winter Olympics.

European champion Anastasiia Gubanova didn’t qualify at the 2025 World Championships after a disappointing short program. “I had some difficult times after last season. It’s still in my head so I really have to deal with it. Honestly it was really hard. I was able to overcome the nerves (at qualifier) because of the lessons I learnt from the last competition,” she said.

This season, Gubanova is skating to two very different styles: a passionate Slumdog Millionaire for the short program and the romantic musical Ghost for the free skate. “I wanted to choose two styles that I like the most and feel the best. The Indian music brought out my inner self – that I can be playful.”

Her goal at Skate to Milano was not only to qualify in the women’s event, but also to help Georgia earn a ticket to the team event. “I really don’t want to let down our team and I want that we go as a team at the Olympics,” said Gubanova.

Gubanova scored a total of 206.23 after the free skate, putting her in second place behind Petrosian. “During the performance I focused on all my technical elements. When I saw the result the first thought came to me was that I finally finished the task and got the ticket for my team to the 2026 Olympic Games.”

For Belgian skater Loena Hendrickx, Skate to Milano was her first competition in nearly eleven months. Coming back from an ankle injury, Hendrickx was determined to prove that she is still a strong skater and contender for the Winter Olympics. She placed third after the short program, with minor glitches on the triple Flip–triple Toeloop and double Axel. “I felt pretty nervous and a little bit shaky just before I skate but I’m very proud of myself doing what I love the most and be on my level again.”

In her free skate to “La Alegría”, Hendrickx landed two triple jumps in the second half of the program, finishing with an overall score of 204.96. “The goal tonight was to get my ticket to Milan and I did it. I was just proud and happy for myself.”

The post-competition emotions were overwhelming for the two-time world medalist. “It wasn’t easy to come back,” commented Hendrickx. “Seven months ago I went through surgery and I didn’t know how my future would look like. I wasn’t sure if I would ever compete on the same level again. I worked super hard. It wasn’t always easy but I managed it, and that’s why I was emotional after my skate today.”

Belgium has two spots for the Milan Olympics as Nina Pinzarrone claimed a spot at the World Championships.

Individual neutral athlete Viktoriia Safonova, skating to “Yo Viviré”, moved up from seventh to fourth place after the free skate, gaining the fourth quota for Milano Cortina with a total of 181.91.

Local skater Ruiyang Zhang secured the last quota for host nation China. Skate to Milano was Zhang’s second senior international event. She sat in fourth after the short program, giving her the potential to secure a quota for China.

“It was stressful to skate in the last group with all the amazing skaters but this is also a learning opportunity for me,” said Zhang.

Skating to Miss Saigon, Zhang landed on both feet on a triple Lutz and fell on a triple Loop at the beginning of her free skate. Waiting nervously at the Kiss and Cry, Zhang shared her concerns about not being able to secure a quota with coach Caishu Fu. When a total score of 179.76 was announced, the stadium erupted in loud cheers and Zhang shed happy tears.

“I feel extremely honored to represent my country and to secure a quota,” reflected Zhang. “I’m not completely satisfied with my performance today because I made two mistakes in the program. I will continue to work on jump consistency and the execution of the two programs.”

Following in sixth place was Stefania Yakovleva of Cyprus with an overall score of 177.53. This is the first senior season for the 19-year-old, and she had mixed emotions about her free skate. “I was sad because this was not my best skate. I usually skated clean in practice. However, that’s one of my best skates in competition so I’m also happy about that.” Yakovleva is hopeful to go to the European Championships this season and plans to work on her jumps and fine tune the choreography as the season develops.