Kostner on track for fourth Euro title

Italy's Carolina Kostner stayed on track for a fourth continental title when she led after the short programme at the European figure skating championships here on Friday. Kostner, the champion in 2007, 2008 and 2010, pulled out an error-free skate to the classical music of Shostakovich to achieve 63.22 points. The Grand Prix Final winner, competing in her tenth Europeans, leads Finland's Kiira Korpi (61.80) and Russia's Ksenia Makarova (57.55) going into Saturday's free skating final. "I told myself that I should just try to enjoy myself. Who knows if I will be here again next year," said Kostner, who skipped Italian nationals because of fatigue after competing in four competitions in eight weeks. "It was too much. I couldn't focus in training. I spent ten days with my family and friends to recharge my batteries." Six-time European medallist Kostner, 24, had to settle for silver last year behind Swiss Sarah Meier, who has since retired, with Korpi taking her second bronze. The 23-year-old Finn, whose start to the season was hampered by injury and flu, skated to the music 'Somewhere over the rainbow'. "I felt good, it was my best this season. I'm really happy with what I did today despite being so nervous."