Speed, drama and medal hopes

The European Figure Skating Championships in January will be an extremely exciting event: three Finnish skaters will be competing in the ladies’ European Championships in Hartwall Arena in Helsinki.

In addition, Finland will be represented in the Championships by a male skater and an ice dance couple. The selections of the skaters will take place on the basis of the combined points from the competitions in the autumn.

According to Mila Kajas, information officer of the Finnish Figure Skating Association, the Association’s aim of two medals is high, but realistic.

“The home championships will take place at an opportune moment as the level of women’s skating in Finland is currently extremely high,” Kajas says with delight.

If some people think figure skating is all about ethereal gliding about, Kajas would advise them to come to the Arena. Skating is not only associated with beauty but also sporting drama: speed, extraordinary performances and surprises.

“For example, pair skating approaches acrobatics at times in its level of difficulty. I recommend it!”

Skating may indeed turn out to be the next trendy sport in Finland. At least the European Championship medallists of the last few years – Susanna Pöykiö, silver, and Kiira Korpi and Laura Lepistö, bronze – have inspired children to go figure skating schools. It has also been possible to get boys involved with the sport.

“Figure skating school provides good basic skills that will also be useful for an NHL career,” says Kajas.

Of her own sporting career as a top-level skater, Mila Kajas remembers with great fondness her experiences at the Lillehammer Olympics in 1994.

“I felt proud and patriotic to be in the Olympics. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to compete in championships at home, but now I can be involved in organising them!”

The European Figure Skating Championships will take place in Hartwall Arena on 20–25 January. A championship atmosphere will also be created in the heart of Helsinki in the ice park next to the railway station with campaigns for the Championships.

Links:

European Figure Skating Championships 2009

Text: Arja Tuusvuori
Photo: Sari Niskanen. In the picture Crista Grönroos and Eero Kivinen

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