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SV PAN: Elena Vodorezova of USSR skating (Third place)
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SV spectators applauding.
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3.
SV PAN: Dagmar Lurz of Germany skating (Second place)
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4.
SV: crowd applauding.
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5.
SV PAN: winner Anett Poetzsch of East Germany skating.
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Initials RH/1715


SPORT: SKATING

Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: Figure skating -- the European Championships ended in Strasbourg on Saturday (4 February) with the first two places in the women's event going to last year's winners, Anett Poetzch of East Germany and Dagmar Lurz of West Germany. The highlight of the final day's skating though, was a memorable performance by 14-year-old Elena Vodorezova of the Soviet Union which gave her the bronze medal.

SYNOPSIS: The young Soviet girl Elena Vodorezova had performed quite remarkably during the early stages of the competition. However her skating in the final programme -- the free skating -- was even better. She finished with 180 points and the bronze medal and boosted the total Soviet medal tally to six, giving them first place overall.

18-year old Dagmar Lurz of West Germany held a commanding position after her earlier performances and went into the final programme second on overall points. She maintained her usually high standards with some tight, immaculate skating and held on to the silver medal she won at Helsinki last year. It turned out to be the only medal the West Germans managed to capture during this year's championships.

And following the brilliant performances by Vodorezova and Lurz-last year's European Champion Annet Poetzsch of East Germany. She began her free programme in relaxed style, with some very well co-ordinated movements.

However there was one tense moment when she stumbled while attempting a double Lutz in the closing seconds. But she managed to regain her poise and went on to win the women's gold medal for the second consecutive year. Her contribution was enough to give the East Germans second place in the final medals table.