www.isu.org/vsite/vcontent/content/...ws-item,00.html15 Jan 2010 10:18ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2010 - PreviewThe ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2010 will open in Tallinn, Estonia, on January 19. Estonia is hosting an ISU Championship for the first time in history. 177 skaters/couples from 38 ISU members have been entered for the Championships. All skaters/couples will compete in the Short Program/Compulsory Dance and Original Dance, and the top 20 Men and Ladies and the top 16 Pairs/Ice Dance couples will proceed to the Free Skating.
Overview over the top contenders
Reigning European Champion Brian Joubert (FRA) will face stiff competition from Olympic Champion Evgeni Plushenko (RUS) and two-time World Champion Stéphane Lambiel (SUI) who both returned to competition this season. Joubert posted a seasons best of 232.70 points at the NHK Trophy, while Plushenko scored 240.65 at the Rostelecom Cup in the Grand Prix series. Lambiel didn’t compete in the Grand Prix but only at the ISU Olympic Qualifying Competition Nebelhorn Trophy in Oberstdorf last September. 2008 European Champion Tomas Verner (CZE) would like to step on to the European podium again (seasons best 229.96 points). Reigning European silver medallist Samuel Contesti (ITA/seasons best 207.85) as well as two-time and reigning European bronze medallist Kevin van der Perren (BEL/ seasons best 189.33 points) are in the running again. Yannick Ponsero (FRA) was edged out of a medal last year by a slim margin and wants to take his revenge (seasons best 205.74 points). Sergei Voronov (RUS/seasons best 220.39), World junior silver medallist Michal Brezina (CZE/seasons best 217.48) and Alban Préaubert (FRA/seasons best 212.28) are other contenders. 2005 European bronze medallist Stefan Lindeman (GER) makes his comeback after missing the past two seasons. ....
Please note that for the seasonal best total scores only the ISU Grand Prix competitions (senior and junior) have been taken into consideration, not other international competitions or National Championships.
Prize money and World standing bonus 
The ISU awards a global prize money of US$ 350,000 at the European Championships to skaters/couples placed 1st to 12th. The prize money is awarded to winners and placed skaters/couples as follows:
Men and Ladies
1st place US$ 20,000
2nd place US$ 13,000
3rd place US$ 8,000
....
By competing in the ISU European Figure Skating Championships the athletes earn points towards the World Standings as well. The three skaters/couples per discipline having earned most World Standing points during the 2009/2010 season will be awarded with the World Standing Bonus. The following amounts will be awarded to the concerned skaters/couples:
Ladies & Men
1st: US$ 45,000
2nd: US$ 27,000
3rd: US$ 18,000
The schedule of the ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2007 
is as follows:Wednesday, January 20: Men Short Program
Thursday, January 21: Men Free Skating
Sunday, November 24: Exhibition Gala
For more information, full entry lists and results please see:
Entries/Results and
www.euroskate2010.eu....
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