Figure skating-Russia's Valieva sets world record in short programme

Figure Skating - ISU European Figure Skating Championships - Tondiraba Ice Hall, Tallinn, Estonia - January 13, 2022 Russian Figure Skating Federation's Kamila Valieva in action during the women's short program REUTERS/Ints Kalnins

(Reuters) - Russia's Kamila Valieva broke her own world record with a nearly flawless short programme at the European championships in Estonia on Thursday, reinforcing her status as a gold-medal favourite for next month's Beijing Olympics.

The 15-year-old, who also holds the world records in the free skate and combined total, scored 90.45 -- more than three points higher than the record she set at the Rostelecom Cup in November.