TALLINN - France's Adam Siao Him Fa returns from injury with a third consecutive European men's figure skating title in his sights as the continental showcase glides into action on Wednesday in Tallinn.
The five-day competition in Tondiraba Ice Hall features 34 nations just over a year before the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina but without athletes from Russia and Belarus.
Siao Him Fa remains the favourite despite missing the ISU Grand Prix final and French national championships with a right ankle injury.
Before injury struck, Siao Him Fa had won a third French Grand Prix gold and was third in the Cup of China.
But it remains to be seen how the 23-year-old's ankle holds up during the short programme on Thursday and free skate two days later.
The world bronze medallist will face the challenge of compatriot Kevin Aymoz who recaptured the French national title in his absence, and has the season's top score for a European (282.88).
Aymoz is targetting his first European podium aged 27 after coming back from the nightmare at last year's Europeans where he slumped to 31st before ending his season prematurely.
"Last year, I burned myself out," said six-time French champion Aymoz.
"The next day after Europeans, I woke up in the morning and I was sad to not be dead in my sleep," he said after taking silver in Skate America in October.
Aymoz took silver in his two Grand Prix events in Finland and Skate America, and was sixth in the Grand Prix final. However he has never done better than fourth at Europeans.
Daniel Grassl, a European silver medallist in 2022, was fourth in the Grand Prix final, and is a medal contender along with fellow Italian Matteo Rizzo, a three-time continental medallist.