Finnish skating news, part II

[Kelvster]

Agreed!
But this season she can't land the triple flip to save her life
I wonder if she should just do a salchow - double toe loop instead or worse still a double Axel ......

[Tony Wheeler]

Agreed!
But this season she can't land the triple flip to save her life
I wonder if she should just do a salchow - double toe loop instead or worse still a double Axel ......

She already does two triple loops and the triple toe/triple toe, so she can't do another triple Salchow. Another double Axel would be fine, though.

[Finnice]

Her aim is to do all the triples, I guess.
I was so proud of her in Paris, it was great to sing our nathional anthem to her.

[Marco]

The thing Im loving about Korpi this year is the fact that she is doing the same jump layout every competition. For the past 5 years she has messed around with content so much and this just added to her woes IMHO. I remember in one season she did flip and loop in the sp at Euros, lutz and loop at nationals, Flip and lutz at worlds...three different layouts for the three biggies of her season.

The 3toe/3toe was added to her Worlds lp in 2006 (successful in quals, not so much in the FP) this was a change to the Euro LP where she actually went CLEAN for the first and only time in her career.

Consistency is the KEY!

Didn't she stand up on the 3loop3toe at the Turin Olympics? I love that combo from her.

[Northeagle]

Her aim is to do all the triples, I guess.
I was so proud of her in Paris, it was great to sing our nathional anthem to her.

This is the only way to achieve the top level, I fear:
and it's a wise decision, in my opinion.
She's got the technical skills to perform all these jumps, but of course they needs a lot of work, especially Lutz and Flip: she already manages Axel and Toeloop very well, I think.

[caro-ira]

Great pics of Laura. She looks as elegant as ever. I hope she will be well-prepared in time for Euros and Worlds.

[Hanna]

Junior ladies SBs (according to the criteria)

Juulia Turkkila 125.03 (1st qualifier, which counts for Junior Worlds)
Cecilia Törn 124.01 (2nd qualifier, senior -2 points)
Timila Shrestha 113.55 (JGP J. Curry Memorial)
Nea Viiri 112.69 (2nd Nats qualifier)
Eveliina Viljanen 111.23 (2nd Nats qualifier)
(Beata Papp still without a score)

Junior men

Bela Papp 159.81 (2nd qualifier, senior -2 points)
Julian Lagus 141.11 (2nd qualifier)
Matthias Versluis 135.43 (1st qualifier)
Viktor Zubik 126.26 (Finlandia Trophy, senior - 2 points)

These should be updated.

Junior ladies

Juulia Turkkila 125.03 (1st qualifier)
Cecilia Törn 124.01 (2nd qualifier, senior -2 points)
Timila Shrestha 119.84 (NRW Trophy)
Noora Pitkänen 113.36 (Santa Claus Cup, Hungary)
Nea Viiri 112.69 (2nd Nats qualifier)
Rosaliina Kuparinen 112.16 (Santa Claus Cup, Hungary)
Eveliina Viljanen 111.23 (2nd Nats qualifier)

that neither Noora and Rosaliina - who just skated really well at the Santa Claus Cup - made it to Nationals due to bad skates at both qualifiers (Noora ) and injury or other illness (Rosaliina).

Junior men

Bela Papp 159.81 (2nd qualifier, senior -2 points)
Viktor Zubik 147.43 (NRW Trophy)
Julian Lagus 141.11 (2nd qualifier)
Matthias Versluis 136.31 (NRW Trophy)

[laguska]

These should be updated.

Junior ladies

Juulia Turkkila 125.03 (1st qualifier)
Cecilia Törn 124.01 (2nd qualifier, senior -2 points)
Timila Shrestha 119.84 (NRW Trophy)
Noora Pitkänen 113.36 (Santa Claus Cup, Hungary)
Nea Viiri 112.69 (2nd Nats qualifier)
Rosaliina Kuparinen 112.16 (Santa Claus Cup, Hungary)
Eveliina Viljanen 111.23 (2nd Nats qualifier)

that neither Noora and Rosaliina - who just skated really well at the Santa Claus Cup - made it to Nationals due to bad skates at both qualifiers (Noora ) and injury or other illness (Rosaliina).

Junior men

Bela Papp 159.81 (2nd qualifier, senior -2 points)
Viktor Zubik 147.43 (NRW Trophy)
Julian Lagus 141.11 (2nd qualifier)
Matthias Versluis 136.31 (NRW Trophy)

I guess Alisa Mikonsaari should also be on the Junior Ladies list with her 2nd qualifier score:

Junior ladies

Juulia Turkkila 125.03 (1st qualifier)
Cecilia Törn 124.01 (2nd qualifier, senior -2 points)
Timila Shrestha 119.84 (NRW Trophy)
Alisa Mikonsaari 118,78 (2nd qualifier, senior -2 points)
Noora Pitkänen 113.36 (Santa Claus Cup, Hungary)
Nea Viiri 112.69 (2nd Nats qualifier)
Rosaliina Kuparinen 112.16 (Santa Claus Cup, Hungary)
Eveliina Viljanen 111.23 (2nd Nats qualifier)

[pinky166]

The Finns certainly have a knack for expressions. Everything Korpi did was crisp and to the point.

I am not sure I agree with the victory over Nagasu, but I am glad she is skating so well so far this season. Love her programs.

She only beat Mirai because Mirai had edge calls on all her lutzes and was issued some URs, so I actually think Kiira's victory was definitely fair.

As for her jump layout, I'd just switch the 3f for a 2a, it will still leave her with 6 triples in the FS which is definitely competitive. Or if she doesn't do the 3t-3t in the beginning she could always replace the 3f with a 3t.

[Nekatiivi]

She only beat Mirai because Mirai had edge calls on all her lutzes and was issued some URs, so I actually think Kiira's victory was definitely fair.

As for her jump layout, I'd just switch the 3f for a 2a, it will still leave her with 6 triples in the FS which is definitely competitive. Or if she doesn't do the 3t-3t in the beginning she could always replace the 3f with a 3t.

I think fot Kiira it is better to stick with jump plan than make changes during the program or from competition to competition. Concistency is a issue for her and she should aim to create a muscle memory. Stick with the flip.

[Hanna]

I guess Alisa Mikonsaari should also be on the Junior Ladies list with her 2nd qualifier score:

Yes you're right, although I wonder if she'd even be interested in going to Junior Worlds since she hasn't been participating in the JGP for the last two seasons now. To the Nordics she'll be going as a senior, I assume.

Ladies

Kiira Korpi with her 164,02 from Finlandia Trophy is, of course, in a league of her own. Also Lepistö will be given a bye to Euros if she's healthy. So the real question is about the 3rd spot.
Situtation:

Cecilia Törn 126.01 (2nd Nats qualifier)
Alisa Mikonsaari 120.78 (2nd Nats qualifier)
Juulia Turkkila 118.72 (Ice Challenge, Graz, Austria)
Beata Papp - still without a score

The NRW Trophy didn't change this situation much. The only difference is that Beata Papp now has a score. Great to see that she was able to skate quite decently despite having been injured and hardly competed all season.

Cecilia Törn 126.01 (2nd Nats qualifier)
Alisa Mikonsaari 120.78 (2nd Nats qualifier)
Juulia Turkkila 118.72 (Ice Challenge, Graz, Austria)
Beata Papp 114.40 (NRW Trophy)

NRW Trophy was incredibly close between all three of Cecilia, Alisa and Beata! Nats will be absolutely nerve-wrecking because that's where good scores will DEFINITELY be given to the one who skates well. I'd almost like to say that the one who plans to at Nationals will get the 3rd Euro spot (Juulia Turkkila could do that too). Unless they all would . I doubt it but it'd be great.

[Hanna]

Another year has gone and today is again the Independence Day of Finland and therefore - the famous President's Ball. I think we've posted pictures every time there have been skaters? Laura Lepistö was invited again this year based on her medalling at Worlds.

http://www.mtv3.fi/viihde/uutiset/mu...sa--katso-kuva
http://www.mtv3.fi/helmi/minisaitit/...uvut_ja_tyylit

[Hanna]

Ugh there was just an interview with Laura at the ball and she didn't exactly say she's not going to participate at Nationals. But she was asked whether she needs to go straight back to training tomorrow (after a festive day today) and she said that she said no, because her achilles is still bothering her. To me that says that she will not be participating.

It'd be quite weird if her first competition of the season would be Euros.

[Nekatiivi]

So, apperently Laura is still not able train properly . I am starting to think won't make it to Europeans.

[kwanfan1818]

She's so beautiful

[MikiAndoFan#1]

Ugh there was just an interview with Laura at the ball and she didn't exactly say she's not going to participate at Nationals. But she was asked whether she needs to go straight back to training tomorrow (after a festive day today) and she said that she said no, because her achilles is still bothering her. To me that says that she will not be participating.

It'd be quite weird if her first competition of the season would be Euros.

She's so beautiful

I agree!

[barbk]

Of all the "itises" I've had, achilles tendinitis was by far the hardest to resolve, and the quickest to flare up again. I am sorry for any athlete who has to battle with it, but you just can't push it -- rupture is a real threat.

[alilou]

She's so beautiful

And so is her dress

[Loves_Shizuka]

^Totally agreed, she looks fab and that dress is lovely.

So, apperently Laura is still not able train properly . I am starting to think won't make it to Europeans.

Just get well soon Laura.

[Hanna]

Of all the "itises" I've had, achilles tendinitis was by far the hardest to resolve, and the quickest to flare up again. I am sorry for any athlete who has to battle with it, but you just can't push it -- rupture is a real threat.

That's what I believe has happened to her because she was already back to training in November. Apparently now she's had to stop again.