Nella Pelkonen, 18, starts the competitive figure skating EC free program on Saturday in seventh place. Emmi Peltonen, 24, is in 14th place after the short program.
Nella Pelkonen goes to the competitive figure skating EC free program on Saturday from a good position, in seventh place. The 18-year-old first-timer at the adult championships skated his record score of 62.60 in the short program
Pelkonen was satisfied with his performance and scores. He believes that the cool-headed performance stemmed from self-confidence, which is at an even better level this season.
– This season I have been able to gather myself for the most important competitions really well. Yes, it was a bit stressful, but maybe it suits me. I know that I can do the things that are in the program, Pelkonen comments.
‘s narrators Mika Saarelainen and Sara Honkavaara praised the Tampere’s performance.
– I greatly appreciate Nella Pelkonen’s competitive nerves. He’s in a tough spot at his best. His competitive nerves have not always been as good, Saarelainen stated.
The commentators believe that the change of coach last summer is behind the leap in development. He took over his longtime coach Minna Järvinen learn Susanna Haaralan for coaching.
– We have found common ground with the new coach. There are two equally determined types. They know exactly what they are doing, Honkavaara said.
According to Saarelainen and Honkavaara, it’s not so much that Pelkonen has learned new tricks for this season, but rather that the Finn’s confidence and composure can be seen more clearly than before.
A medal would be a nice surprise
In the value competitions of figure skating, it is largely about who manages to present a clean performance when it comes to the real place. Based on Pelkonen’s recent performances, Saarelainen thinks that Pelkonen can very well move up several places on the leaderboard.
Prize competitions always offer both happy and harsh surprises. For example, last year’s EC four, Poland Yekaterina Kurakovafailed his short program and was eliminated from the free program.
– Pelkosen definitely has a good chance for five checkers. He has the repertoire it takes. It also depends on how others perform. I don’t think that for the medals, however, it would be a surprise, Saarelainen said.
Axel missed Pelto
Emmi Peltonen scored 56.73, which was enough for 14th place and a place in the free program. There would have been opportunities for better points, as Peltonen was completely without points in the double axel.
– It’s very disturbing when you know what the score would be (without a mistake). With that you get 56 points, but with an axel and a triple-triple combination it would have been more than 65 points. It’s a bit difficult to live with that, Peltonen lamented.
Peltonen, who was on the sidelines due to a long injury, says that he enjoyed the performance to the fullest. It has been four years since his last European Championships. In 2020, he reached the best ranking of his career, fifth.
– During the step sequence, I got chills from the feeling that I’ve made it back here. I think about how dark I was a year ago, Peltonen said.
Although the absence of a complete jumping element taxed Peltonen’s points pot, Mika Saarelainen thinks that overall Peltonen’s performance was successful. According to the commentators, Peltonen’s presentation, basic skating skills and step sequence are the best in the world. With the current rules, they also have a lot of weight in the total points.
– He got what he deserved from the artistic points. It could be a little better. Hats off to my fellow judges for being even better at distinguishing between the technical errors and the artistic side where there were no errors. A mistake in the jump did not affect the performance score.
Saarelainen and Honkavaara believe that if Peltonen succeeds, he can climb up the leaderboard.
Belgium has a double lead in the competition. The overwhelming number one in the free program was Loena Hendrickx, who got as many as 74.66 points for his short program. His earthlings Nina Pinzarrone is second, five points away (69.70).
Georgia, the defending European champion Anastasia Gubanova is third with 68.96 points.
On Friday, the ice dance rhythm dance and the men’s free program will be competed in Kaunas. The competitions culminate on Saturday with the women’s free program and the ice dance free dance. Friday’s broadcast starts at Areena at 11:55 and on TV2 at 14:50.