Barbora Vránková’s Journey to the World Figure Skating Championships
Prague – Czech figure skater Barbora Vránková is preparing to compete at the 2026 ISU World Figure Skating Championships, currently underway at the O2 Arena in Prague. Her path to the championship has been marked by dedication, travel, and overcoming challenges, including a significant shift in her training environment due to unforeseen global events.
Early Impressions of the O2 Arena
Vránková expressed her excitement about competing in the O2 Arena, noting her initial impressions of the venue. “I’ve only been to the main hall so far and it looks beautiful,” she said. She also fondly recalled a previous experience skating at the arena during a Disney demonstrate, describing herself as “just like a little girl” and feeling “very excited.”
Qualifying for the World Championships
Securing a spot at the World Championships required Vránková to achieve both national success and meet specific technical score requirements. She first won the national championship in December, earning her participation in the European Championship in Sheffield. However, reaching the minimum technical score proved challenging, requiring consistent performance and dedication.
Navigating Pressure and Preparation
Vránková described her approach to the pressure of qualifying, stating, “More like due to the fact that I had a lot of races planned and I wanted to try. I didn’t stress that I had to, because I knew that if I ran the programs as I have, I would gain the points. And if I didn’t get them, that means I don’t have what it takes to be here.” Following an unsuccessful European Championship, she found relief at races in Merano, allowing her to calmly prepare for the World Championships.
A Global Training Journey
Vránková’s preparation has involved extensive travel. She participated in a summer camp in France, and her training group established a winter base in Ritten, Italy. Due to cold conditions in Italy, the group relocated to Sweden for better ice conditions.
Three Years in Moscow
Prior to these recent preparations, Vránková spent three years training in Moscow under coach Sergej Davidov. She was one of the few foreign figure skaters in the group, and her entire family accompanied her to the Russian capital. She continued her education online, with support from her mother, a teacher.
Unexpected Return to the Czech Republic
The family’s plans were disrupted by the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, prompting a swift decision to leave Moscow. “First of all, of course, we were afraid. And above all, we felt that it would not be right to stay there. The very next day, we found out how to get home, and within a week we were crossing the border with my sister and mother,” Vránková explained. She has not seen her former coaches since leaving Moscow, only sending a message to inform them of their departure.
World Championship Performance
As of Wednesday, Vránková’s father and sister were in attendance to support her during the short program at the O2 Arena. If successful, she is scheduled to perform her free ride on Friday to music from the movie Titanic, a piece she had previously requested but was unable to use until now.
Photo: Profimedia.cz
Czech figure skater Barbora Vránková
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