While many competitors failed, Janna Jyrkinen succeeded perfectly in her short program and was eighth in it. The free program will be skated on Saturday.
Sakari Lund,
Emma Jump
15-year-old Janna Jyrkinen exceeded all expectations with his eighth place in the short program of the European Figure Skating Championships. Jyrkinen skated a score of 60.77, with which he got close to his record score. When many skaters expected to be at the top failed, Jyrkinen’s performance was enough for a handsome ranking.
– I was really happy after the program and the audience cheered really well, it helped a lot, Jyrkinen said.
Jyrkinen said that he was nervous before the program.
– When I got on the ice, the tension went away. I just tried to enjoy myself and it worked.
According to Jyrkinen, it’s easier to start the free program when the short program is behind you.
One triple plug was slightly missing, but otherwise the program went excellently.
– Great, absolutely brilliant. Yes, he is tough even at that age. Absolutely brilliant competitive nerves. The whole thing is unimaginably hard, ‘s commentators Mika Saarelainen and Sara Honkavaara glowed.
The first place in the short program was Georgia Anastasia Gubanova with a score of 69.81. Favorite, Belgium Loena Hendricx failed slightly and was second with 67.85 points. Third is the Swiss Kimmy Repond.
Sports expert Laura Lepistök too praised Jyrkinen’s performance.
– Janna herself certainly would not have believed that she would leave such investments for a free program. We hope that he will come to it with the same confidence and peace, Lepistö said.
Many skaters expected to be at the top made mistakes, but Jyrkinen succeeded in his performance perfectly.
– He didn’t have any pre-favorite pressure, so in that sense it was “easy” to come, but of course it’s exciting to be at home games and for the first time in these arenas. Janna can be proud of this.
The women’s free program will be skated on Saturday.