Ice dance in focus in Espoo – the home EC is a showcase for Finnish figure skating: “We’ve had a super season”

The European Figure Skating Championships are back in Finland. The last time it happened was in 2009 and then Laura Lepistö saved the home crowd by taking gold. Now the ice dance couple Juulia Turkkila-Matthias Versluis is the blue and white hope.

The atmosphere was magical as Laura Lepistö coped with the pressure and was crowned European champion in Helsinki 14 years ago. It is not impossible that the jubilation reaches similar heights in Espoo this week.

– Our ice dance couple has the opportunity to win a medal. I absolutely believe that it will be a crowd party and it will benefit the Finnish skaters to have the crowd’s support behind them, says Yle Sport’s figure skating expert Pernilla Böhling.

The fact that Finland is the organizer of the EC competitions is a big deal for the sport. Böhling points out that Finland stands high on the international figure skating scene.

– We have had a super season. First we had the Finlandia Trophy which has established itself as a high class international competition and then a GP competition in Espoo. Now the European Championships in Espoo await, so it’s a big year for Finnish figure skating.

Turkkila and Versluis have the EC bronze in their sights

The big Finnish day during the home EC is expected to be Saturday. Then the ice dance couples do their free program and the eyes of the home audience are then directed towards Juulia Turkkila and Matthias Versluis.

The British couple Lilah Fear–Lewis Gibson and the Italians Charléne Guignard–Marco Fabbri are the big advance favorites, but the fight for third place is uncertain.

– Turkkila and Versluis have a chance for a medal if they manage to make two strong performances. The medal chance is definitely realistic, says Böhling.

Turkkila and Versluis have made great progress every year. In the WC competitions last year, they placed twelfth and in their wake, the discipline has developed in Finland.

– Our ice dance coaches do a great job. Ice dancing in Finland has developed year by year. We have two talented pairs these days thanks to the investment and the stimulating training environment.

Young Janna Jyrkinen has great potential

On the women’s side, Finland is not at the same level as during the glory days of Laura Lepistö, Kiira Korpi and Susanna Pöykiö.

But there are talented young skaters who have high capacity. For example, 15-year-old Janna Jyrkinen, who represents Finland in the EC competitions.

– She has competed a lot internationally so she is relatively experienced despite her young age. She has a strong technique and if she succeeds in both of her programs, she has a chance to place herself among the top 15. But she is participating for the first time in a major championship, so everything is open, says Böhling.

The dream scenario for Finnish figure skating is that Jyrkinen scores a perfect hit and earns a place among the top ten. In that case, Finland may field two ladies in the EC next year.

The Belgian Loena Hendrickx, who took silver in the WC competitions last year, is the low odds to be crowned European champion.

– She has a strong season behind her and is a clear favorite for the gold medal.

In the men’s competition, it is not as easy to point out a clear pre-favourite. Finland’s representative is the experienced Valtter Virtanen, but he will not interfere in the close battle.

The 35-year-old Virtanen’s minimum goal is to get into the top 24 who after the short program get to ride the free program.

– He has had a good season and set a new personal best. With two strong performances, he has a good chance of placing himself among the top 20, Böhling believes.

Yle broadcasts the EC in figure skating in Espoo. The competitions are commented by Marianne Nyman and expert commentator Pernilla Böhling.