The Sidelines : Petrenko Scores Early Victory

Viktor Petrenko of the Soviet Union launched his bid to repeat as the men’s champion of the European Figure Skating Championships today with a stirring performance in the original program.

The 21-year-old from Odessa scored all 5.8s and 5.9s for the required elements and presentation to easily take that part of the event.

Petr Barna of Czechoslovakia was second, and another Soviet, Viacheslav Zagorodniuk, was third.

Petrenko was in command of the men’s event with a majestic routine to Bizet’s Carmen, which had the audience clapping in unison. Petrenko didn’t miss any of the eight required moves, scoring heavily with a high triple axel-double toe loop combination.