Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis reached the top ten at the World Championships for the first time. Finland will therefore get two spots for next year’s World Ice Dance Championships.
Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis reached the top ten in the ice dance of the World Figure Skating Championships. In the end, the pair was ninth with a combined score of 193.54.
The duo started the free dance in eighth place and received a score of 116.57 for their performance. The season’s free dance record score of 120.65 is from the European Championship in Espoo, when the couple won bronze.
– It wasn’t the best of our season. There was indeed a mistake in the twisels. Before and after that, the elements were at our level and we skated like in training, Turkkila tells Urheilu.
The world championship was won by a couple from the United States Madison Chock and Evan Bates. The Finnish duo admits that the mistake was disappointing in a tight competition.
– We didn’t let it affect the final program. We were able to enjoy the moment and the Japanese audience. It was really nice to skate, Versluis commented.
– Slightly mixed feelings, but you have to remember that the season has been amazing and think about the positive picture of this season, Turkkila reminded.
You can watch the couple’s entire free dance program in the video below.
The goal was achieved
The pair scored 76.97 points for the rhythm dance, just half a point short of their record. Verluis stated at the time that the confidence did not shine from the beginning, but the couple was more relaxed in the free program.
– Yes, it was better. We got very into the free program mode, which is calmer. It has been easier to get there right from the start of the program, says Versluis.
Turkkila and Versluis reached the top ten in the World Championships for the first time in their careers. Previously, at the World Championships, they had only reached the top ten Susanna Rahkamo and Petri Kokko in the years 1990–1995.
With the performance of Turkkila and Versluis, Finland gets two representation spots for next year’s World Championships. The last time Finland had two representatives was in 1996.
– Reaching the top ten has been the goal in the World Championships. It’s amazing that we were able to do it, Versluis beamed.
– From here we are going to climb even higher. We still have a long way to go and we will definitely rock in these years, Turkkila assured.
“We are not bored”
The couple’s free dance program has been described as a masterpiece. According to Turkkila, it has been wonderful to do the program.
– We are not bored. Even at the end of the season, you can still listen to music and improve your performance during training. It has been wonderful to skate this free dance.
According to Turkkila, next is a short vacation at the end of the season. After that, the two go to plan new programs and music with the choreographer.