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Flight #5342: I Will Remember You
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Cross-posting from the Olympic Qualifying news thread ... Finnish federation’s press release today (Jan. 23):
www.skatingfinland.fi
Auto-translation:
Iida Karhunen has been selected to represent Finland in women's figure skating at the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics. The Olympic Committee announced the remaining nominations today.
The Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics will be held in Italy from 6 to 22 June 2026. For Karhunen, the Olympics are the first of her career. The Lappeenranta native was only able to try out adult competitions this season after the International Skating Federation raised the minimum age limit for the senior series to 17. However, Karhunen immediately captured both the Finnish championship and tenth place in the European championships in her debut season.
– The choice feels really great and meaningful. My goal is to show the best possible performances, IIda Karhunen comments.
The 17-year-old Karhunen has gained experience in competitive events not only at the Sheffield European Championships but also in the junior series, where she has represented Finland three times at the World Championships. Marina Shirshova [note: mother of Alisa Efimova] will also coach the three-time Finnish junior champion from 2022–2024.
– I prepare for the Games with the same familiar routine as I do for other important competitions. I focus on basic training and recovery, and I bring familiar equipment, Karhunen says about her preparation for the Olympics.
Finnish figure skating will also be represented at the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics by the ice dance pair Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis . Their competition begins on February 9.
Suomen Olympiakomitea on nimennyt Iida Karhusen talviolympialaisiin I SkatingFinland
17-vuotias Iida Karhunen kertoo valmistautuvansa Milano–Cortinan olympialaisiin samalla tutulla rutiinilla kuin muihinkin tärkeisiin kilpailuihin.
www.skatingfinland.fi
Auto-translation:
Iida Karhunen has been selected to represent Finland in women's figure skating at the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics. The Olympic Committee announced the remaining nominations today.
The Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics will be held in Italy from 6 to 22 June 2026. For Karhunen, the Olympics are the first of her career. The Lappeenranta native was only able to try out adult competitions this season after the International Skating Federation raised the minimum age limit for the senior series to 17. However, Karhunen immediately captured both the Finnish championship and tenth place in the European championships in her debut season.
Finland is allowed to send one representative to the women's competition in Milan–Cortina. The skater who has achieved the highest sum of the two best overall results will be presented to the Finnish Olympic Committee for selection as an Olympic athlete. Karhunen was followed in the statistics by Finnish Championship silver medalist Olivia Lisko until the last meters.
– The choice feels really great and meaningful. My goal is to show the best possible performances, IIda Karhunen comments.
The 17-year-old Karhunen has gained experience in competitive events not only at the Sheffield European Championships but also in the junior series, where she has represented Finland three times at the World Championships. Marina Shirshova [note: mother of Alisa Efimova] will also coach the three-time Finnish junior champion from 2022–2024.
Iida Karhunen is leaving for Milan with great enthusiasm. She says she wants to enjoy the entire event to the fullest and focus on her own work. The women's short and free skates will be skated at the Milan Figure Skating Arena towards the end of the Olympics on February 17 and 19. There are no plans to perform miracles in the month leading up to the competition.
– I prepare for the Games with the same familiar routine as I do for other important competitions. I focus on basic training and recovery, and I bring familiar equipment, Karhunen says about her preparation for the Olympics.
Finnish figure skating will also be represented at the Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics by the ice dance pair Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis . Their competition begins on February 9.
