Niina Petrõkina, Estonia's top hope and a two-time European champion, is preparing for her Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics, where she will compete in the women's single short program. The event features 29 participants divided into five warming groups, and Petrõkina will take to the ice as the fifth skater of the fourth group, with her performance scheduled for 23:00 EET. This is a significant moment for Petrõkina, as she seeks to make her mark on the international stage.

Ahead of her competition, Petrõkina expressed confidence despite not winning favorable draw conditions, knowing she would perform in the latter half of her warming group. She discussed her preparation strategies, emphasizing how she used her training time effectively without wanting to waste it before going on the ice. For athletes like Petrõkina, the mental and physical preparation leading up to the competition is just as crucial as their on-ice skills.

The short program's results will determine which top 24 skaters advance to the free skate portion of the competition. As Petrõkina embarks on this important chapter of her athletic career, her performance will not only impact her future in figure skating but also reflect the growing presence and potential of Estonian athletes on the world stage at the Winter Olympics.