Sotnikova back to figure skating rink in Cup of Russia

Olympic champion Adelina Sotnikova will receive much attention when she returns to Cup of Russia, the fifth of the six-leg ISU Grand Prix figure skating series starting here on Friday.

The Grand Prix season continues after the cancellation of last weekend's Trophee Bompard following terror attacks in France, reports Xinhua.

Sotnikova, 19, a surprise winner in the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games on home turf, will stand in spotlight as she returns to the rink after missing all of last season due to an ankle injury sustained last November.

"I had certain problems with motivation after my recovery from injury," said the two-time European silver medallist and four-time national champion.

"But after a short period of hesitation I understood that I'm too young to finish my career. I want to show the fans something different, some new features of my skating," she added.

Sotnikova's best finish in her hometown event was a bronze medal in 2011, and she will likely face tough rivals including compatriots Evgenia Medvedeva, this season's Skate America winner, and national champion Elena Radionova, a world bronze medallist and runner-up in last year's Grand Prix final.

Japanese duo Rika Hongo, second in Cup of China, and Yuka Nagai, third in Skate Canada, will also be looking for podium finish.