European Figure Skating Championships on channels 25.–29. January. See shipping information at this link.
Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis are third in ice dance with their rhythm dance record score of 77.56. They improved their record by 2.5 points on Friday at the European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo.
– Wow! Super happy feelings. The atmosphere was amazing in front of the Finnish audience. That energy and that encouragement – we haven’t experienced anything like that before, Turkkila rejoiced after a couple of performances.
He said that the beginning of the week was more exciting than before Friday’s performance. Turkkila described the trust between the couple as having propelled them to success.
There was a bit of pressure on the Finnish couple before the home games in Espoo, but they seemed to have turned the situation into a victory.
– We haven’t experienced a lot of pressure. We have focused on our own performance and managed to keep everything else away. Many thanks to everyone who came. We felt the support today, Versluis stated.
According to Turkkila, the record performance should now be reset, even if it gives certainty for Saturday’s program.
Free dance “becomes a wonderful art experience”
Ylen’s narrator Mika Saarelainen according to Turkkila and Versluis’ performance was described as cool before December’s Finnish championships. However, the couple had clearly reacted to the feedback with the coaching.
– They have never skated and danced together as well. I don’t remember ever seeing such a fiery Juul Turkkila. The gallant cavalier next to him, Matthias Versluis, is an insanely good partner, Saarelainen praised.
Commentator Sara Honkavaara admired how the couple handled the pressure and rose to an even higher level.
– Without any apparent major mistakes, they were able to perform an intact rhythmic dance, Honkavaara said.
The ice dance free dance that concludes the European Championships will be skated on Saturday from 18:25. Turkkila/Versluis will start at 21:25. Places 3-6 are within 1.07 points.
– The couple knows that they have a very wonderful free dance, one of the most beautiful in the world this year. It’s their style, and they’ve used it to boost their ranking many times this season. It will be a wonderful art experience, Saarelainen describes the free dance of Turkkila and Versluis.
Finland’s most recent ice dance medals are from 1995, when Susanna Rahkamo and Petri Kokko won European Championship gold and World Championship silver.
“Less perfection, more fun”
Coach of the Finnish team Maurizio Margaglio praised Turkkila, Versluis and the audience for being great on Friday. However, he stated that above all he appreciates the couple’s professionalism, because in front of the home crowd you have to stay relaxed and focus.
– Three minutes is a really long time, but they did a really good job, and I’m happy about that.
The coach did not glorify a personal record, but hoped that the pair would do their best every time. In addition, Margaglio reminded that the rhythmic dance was only the first part, and you really have to focus on Saturday’s free program.
– If there are points, I will be satisfied. If there are no points, but they have given everything, I am satisfied, the coach summed up the record.
Margaglio brushed aside the idea that the rhythmic dance program would have been perfect. He acknowledged it by stating that after a perfect performance it is necessary to leave the ice for good.
– I don’t think perfection is possible – you can always perform a little better. One mantra I repeat to Juulia and Matthias is: “Less perfection, more fun.”
“We love Finland”
In the rhythm dance, the top place was taken by an Italian couple Charlene Guignard/Marco Fabbri with a score of 85.53. The British couple came second Lilah Fear/Lewis Gibson with a score of 84.12.
Marco Fabbri warmed up the Espoo crowd, which helped them a lot in the dance. The British couple also joined in the praise.
– The atmosphere was electric. The audience got involved right at the beginning of the program and we felt their support and energy. It was really uplifting and an honor for us, Lilah Fear said.
After a stylish but very tough performance, Lewis Gibson was speechless due to his dry throat. He couldn’t answer the questions, but Fear could do the talking.
– I can answer. Louis is really happy to be able to take part in the competition. It’s great for us to compete with such great skaters throughout the year. We love Finland because we have many happy memories of the country. Great to be here again.