Finland’s female figure skaters finished in the last three places at the International Skating Union’s GP competition held in Helsinki.
will show the figure skating Helsinki GP on its channels on November 15-17, 2024. See shipping information.
Each of the Finnish trio Janna Jyrkinen, Nella Pelkonen and Olivia Lisko however, found something good to say about his race week.
Pelkonen was the most relieved when he was finally able to compete at the international level, even though the level of skating was still not to his liking.
– I had a bad feeling all day, but considering the conditions, it was a pretty good program. However, it is difficult to be satisfied. I’m not yet at the level where I want to be or was last season. It has been difficult to accept, Pelkonen said.
Pelkonen totaled 155.22 points from Friday’s short program and Saturday’s free program and finished 11th.
– Feeling conflicted. An angel sits here and the devil sits here, the 19-year-old skater shrugged.
– Another shouts that this was a good performance in this situation. And another shouts that it was not good and should be where it was last season.
Leg problems ruined the training period between seasons and the beginning of the current season, when Pelkonen’s shins had the precursors of stress fractures. The smoker from Tampere used the difficult months to his advantage in other ways.
– I wrote all five subjects in the autumn graduation essays. The results came a couple of days ago and I will graduate, in three and a half years, Pelkonen, who finished high school, was happy.
– Lakitus is a week before the SM competitions, but I won’t hold the party until spring. I don’t feel like going out and messing around in the middle of the season. Now just back to work and practice when I can focus on skating after school.
A different kind of Janna
The youngest of the Finnish trio, 17-year-old Jyrkinen already made a breakthrough in the 2022–23 season, when he debuted at the GP level and reached no less than seventh in the EC competitions. After that, he grew ten centimeters taller, so the next season was spent getting used to the new dimensions of his body.
– I finished last season earlier than usual so that I could catch up on training earlier and prepare for the new season.
There were other big changes when he moved to Helsinki and changed from Lappeenranta Taitoluistelija to Espoo Taitoluisteluklub. The coaching also changed when the former top skater Alisa Drei took charge of the appeal. Everyday life is also filled with studies at Mäkelänrinte sports high school.
Now a more adult-like skater appears on the ice.
– Now there is a different Janna on the ice, Jyrkinen emphasized.
He totaled 157.44 points in Helsinki and was 10th.
– Basic skating has improved since last season. The speed has increased. Skating is cleaner.
It’s a bit sad
Lisko excelled in the short program and was not too disappointed with his free program either, although the total points of 153.67 left him in 12th place.
– It’s a bit sad, because I could have done better. But the feeling and the crowd’s encouragement made up for it.
18-year-old Lisko, who is aiming for an EC place and a SM medal, is in his third year of high school and will start matriculation in the spring.
– I divide them into three parts, said the skater, who aims to graduate in four years.
of Japan Hana Yoshida won with a total score of 199.46, Japan Rino Matsuike (199.20) was second and Italy Lara Naki Gutmann (198.49) third.
will show the figure skating Helsinki GP on its channels on November 15-17, 2024. See shipping information.