Ice princess Zagitova eyes more gold in Milan

MILAN: Newly-crowned Olympic champion Alina Zagitova will be looking to continue her golden run as the Russian starlet chases a first world title four weeks after lifting gold in Pyeongchang.

The post-Olympic world championships will be without many of the medallists from Pyeongchang including Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu, the men’s champion who is out with injury.Fifteen-year-old Zagitova and German pairs skaters Aliona Savchenko and Bruno Massot are the only winners from South Korea competing this week.

Two-time holder Yevgenia Medvedeva will not defend her title after her silver behind Zagitova in South Korea as the Russian nurses a recurring foot injury.And after her fairytale Olympic gold Zagitova is now targeting world records in Milan starting in Wednesday’s (today’s) short programme.

“I want to improve my programmes to set up the new world records. But my main goal is to skate neatly and to show good results,” said Zagitova, who could become the first Olympic women’s champion to win worlds the following month since Kristi Yamaguchi in 1992.

Olympic bronze medallist Kaetlyn Osmond and former world silver medallist Satoko Miyahara of Japan will be among her challengers.Veteran Carolina Kostner, who finished fourth in Pyeongchang will carry home hopes, as she competes in her 14th world championships.

The 31-year-old has six world medals — including the gold in 2012 — going back to her first a bronze in 2005.Podium challengers also include Russia’s Maria Sotskova, Wakaba Higuchi of Japan and American Mirai Nagasu.

The men’s competition will also see a new world champion with Olympic gold medallist Hanyu withdrawing with an ankle injury along with former two-time winner Javier Fernandez of Spain.