Finnish skating news, part II

[ioana]

Yeah, maybe. But Juulia might get extra PCS points for looking like Barbie on ice . I hope she kicks butt at Worlds to prove all the naysayers wrong.

We're just pointing out anything short of a best-ever performance from her end and meltdowns from other contenders wouldn't be good enough for Juulia to finish in the top 10. Odds of that happening are firmly under 5%. Obviously, probability can't be negative so there is *some* chance Turkkila will be in the top 10. If saying that's not a very good chance makes us naysayers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zIV4poUZAQo

[Iceman]

THe current field is on the weak side, so I guess anything is possible.

[Hanna]

really too bad that Finland will be down to one spot nxt year ... (so whoever goes to Worlds will have big pressure of making it in the top ten to earn 2 spots for Sochi ...)

Yeah but if it's either Kiira or Laura, then the chances of making the top10 could be quite good (of course it'll depend on how they look next season).

I can't believe that Juulia has just managed to be the subject of two pages of posts in this thread (with a bit of Hecken thrown into the mix). I guess anything goes since we're lacking other news.

[kwanfan1818]

I'm confused about the need for Turkila to make it to the top 10: did I miss where Finland is only sending one lady, or is it because no expects the second Finnish lady to qualify for the FS?

[Hanna]

I'm confused about the need for Turkila to make it to the top 10: did I miss where Finland is only sending one lady, or is it because no expects the second Finnish lady to qualify for the FS?

I was wondering the same thing but then thought "whatever".

Top12 or top13 will be almost as tough though.

[kwanfan1818]

The odds are a lot better, though, with four-five skaters likely vying for 10th-12th vs. four-five skaters vying for 10th.

That assumes that the second Finnish lady makes it out of the prelims -- Turkila's 20th place in Moscow means one direct and one lady in the prelims -- and then top 24 in the SP.

[Hanna]

Wait, according to the ISU entry list both Finnish entries are direct?

Sorry, I realize this should be in the Worlds forum.

[kwanfan1818]

You're right: the top 18 from Moscow earned one direct entry each for their country, but because Canada and Sweden lost their second spots, there are only 16 direct entries for Nice from the top 18 from Moscow, and the 17th and 18th direct entries were assigned to Belgium (for Vannut's 19th place) and Finland (for Turkila's 20th place).

That means that Mikonsaari skips the prelim round.

[ioana]

You're right: the top 18 from Moscow earned one direct entry each for their country, but because Canada and Sweden lost their second spots, there are only 16 direct entries for Nice from the top 18 from Moscow, and the 17th and 18th direct entries were assigned to Belgium (for Vannut's 19th place) and Finland (for Turkila's 20th place).

That means that Mikonsaari skips the prelim round.

This is excellent news because it also means Isabelle Pieman has a decent chance of qualifying with a clean Short . Erm, Finnish news thread, so best of luck to Alisa for the short, as well!

[Finnice]

Both the Finnish entries are direct.
Mikonsaari has shiwn a great promise some years ago, and she impressed with her 3t-3t ans 3lz. And Kelvster, you are right, she has a lot of determination and lots of speed. It is very interesting to see how she uses this possibility to break to the senior World level.

[maija]

There is a small news in a Finnish newspaper's site today about women laughing and smiling more than men.
... and quess who's photo is there?
Kiira, of course!
Here: http://www.hs.fi/juttusarja/hyvinvoi.../1329103604614

[Northeagle]

There is a small news in a Finnish newspaper's site today about women laughing and smiling more than men.
... and quess who's photo is there?
Kiira, of course!
Here: http://www.hs.fi/juttusarja/hyvinvoi.../1329103604614

Yes, Kiira's always sunny and cheerful, even in trouble.

[love_skate2011]

coached by Morozov ?

so sad with Laura now Kiira getting multiple injuries

[Elka]

Laura Lepistö announced on Sunday that her career as a figure skater is over

[babayaga]

No no no no.....

[kwanfan1818]

There is death in my soul.

[IDC a.k.a. Ritti]

In Finnish:

Official press release from the Finnish Figure Skating Association

Video of the TV show where she announced her decision

Interview with Lepistö

Interview with coach Virpi Horttana

Interview with Anuliisa Uotila

Article in Swedish

[Mika9]

In Finnish:

Video of the TV show where she announced her decision

Awful news, albeit expected

In the above video, Laura can be seen/heard in sections:
1:20 - 7:00 (interviewed at her parents' home, with her father)
11:40 - 16:15 (interviewed at her training hall, with her coach Virpi Horttana, both getting little teary eyed...)
19:45 - 23:20 (Laura on ice in the training hall, also interviewed)

Overall, she seems positive about it all and seems to take all this very nicely. She says that she has everything fine in her personal life and that it should be easy for her to adapt.

[Hedwig]

Very sad that we won't see her again in competition. Does she say if it is her injuries that made her decide that way?

ETA - just saw the google translate. so, yeah, injuries..

[MikiAndoFan#1]

Laura Lepistö announced on Sunday that her career as a figure skater is over