Russia's Anastasia Skoptcova and Kirill Aleshin won the ice dance at the ISU Junior Figure Skating World Championships in Sofia ©ISU

Russia's success at the International Skating Union (ISU) Junior Figure Skating World Championships in Sofia continued today as Anastasia Skoptcova and Kirill Aleshin won the ice dance competition.

Earlier in the day at the Arena Armeec, Russia’s Alexandra Trusova had secured a narrow lead over team-mate Alena Kostornaia in the Junior ladies short programme, with Mako Yamashta of Japan ranked third ahead of the concluding free programme.

Daria Pavliuchenko and Denis Khodykin led a Russian clean sweep in the pairs competition yesterday.

Skoptcova and Aleshin, winners of this year's ISU Junior Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, built on their halfway lead in the event following the short dance segment.

They record a total in the concluding free dance of 88.71 points to finish clear of silver medallists Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarkenko, representing the United States, who totalled 86.83.

The bronze medal went to Russia’s Arina Ushakova and Maxim Nekrasov, who scored 85.59 points, with compatriots Sofia Shevchenko and Igor Eremenko missing out on the podium after totalling 84.90.

Earlier, Trusova had nailed a triple flip-triple loop combination, triple Lutz and a double Axel in her routine to Big Spender and Jumpin’ Jack Flash.

The ISU Junior Grand Prix Final champion collected a level four for her spins and a level three for the footwork to score 72.03 points.

Russia’s Alexandra Trusova secured a narrow lead over team-mate Alena Kostornaia in the junior ladies short programme at the ISU Junior Figure Skating World Championships in Sofia ©ISU
Russia’s Alexandra Trusova secured a narrow lead over team-mate Alena Kostornaia in the junior ladies short programme at the ISU Junior Figure Skating World Championships in Sofia ©ISU

"I am happy with my performance, but there is still room to grow, to improve the steps, spins and [ensure] that all jumps get a plus," 13-year-old Trusova said.

"I have two quads [Salchow and toeloop] in my free skating and I want to land them and skate clean."

Kostornaia’s Tango programme featured a triple Lutz, triple flip-triple toe, double Axel and three level-four spins. 

The 14-year-old earned 71.63 points.

"I am pleased overall with my programme, but there is always something to improve. In my free skating I want to skate clean and I want the judges and the audience to enjoy it," Kostornaia said.

Skating to Bohemian Rhapsody, Yamashita produced a triple flip-triple toe, triple Lutz and double Axel to set a personal best of 66.79 points.

"I really enjoyed skating today. In the free skating I’d like to enjoy skating like I did today," she said.

Her compatriot Rika Kihira is fourth with 63.74 points after falling on the back end of her triple flip-triple toe combination.

Eunsoo Lim of South Korea is fifth on 62.96 points, one place ahead of Russia’s Stanislava Konstantinova, who has 62.63.