|
|
|
|
Elina KettunenNordic Champion Looks To 2006April 17, 2004
How did you become interested in figure skating? "I was 6-years-old when my parents put me in skating school. I didn't like it at first and even quit for a while but came back and then I loved it. Figure skating is a constant challenge and there's always something new to learn and that's what I like about it." What is your best memory from a competition? "It is definitely Europeans in Lausanne in 2002. I felt so much pressure because it was the qualifier for the Olympics, but I skated really well and finished fifth. This earned Finland a third spot for Europeans in Malmö the next year, and I got to go to Salt Lake City!" And your worst? "I don't think I have one although there have been times when I failed all my jumps. I prefer not to think about that. I look ahead!" What is your favorite element? Are you working on a triple axel? "I like everything! I love the speed and to do jumps. The triple toe is my favorite jump right now, but it changes all the time. I don't work on a triple axel at the moment. I haven't practiced it for a while so it feels a bit scary and I don't think ladies need it anyway. There are so many other things we can do." Were you disappointed about not being able to go to Europeans this year? "Yes, of course, but I wasn't in very good shape at our nationals [Elina finished second after Alisa Drei] and I didn't skate my potential at some competitions earlier this season. Now I have some time to prepare for next season!" Did the outcome in Budapest surprise you? "A little, but Russia has always won so it's good when the medals change. It gives hope to others. For the men too!" Finland had only 1 spot for the World Championships in Dortmund... "Susanna (Pöykiö) earned that spot and I really rooted for her!" This season, you just won your fourth Nordic title... "Yes, I won, but I wasn't very satisfied with how I skated. In the short program I only did a double lutz in the combination and the beginning of my free program was pretty bad. But I was happy that I got my concentration and determination back and the rest was good fighting. I am a fighter and I always want to achieve more and altogether this competition gave me more good than bad." What does this win mean to you? "The Nordics means a lot. I haven't had the best season at all but this competition gave me a lot of self-confidence and motivation to continue training. Of course winning is always great, but most of all I rediscovered how much I really enjoy skating and competing and I proved to myself that this is what I want to do right now!" Did you enjoy competing at the Bofrost On Ice event? "Bofrost was such a great competition! It's no longer a Grand prix event and they changed the concept. The first day we had the jumping contests and everyone had fun and a good time. I hope Bofrost will happen every year and I wish for more competitions like it. But any competition is good, it's always exciting and I can usually find some time for shopping, one of my favorite pass times!" How did it feel to to compete at the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City? "Skating in the Olympics is something very big. There's a special feeling and I knew all the Finnish athletes were watching me and rooting for me as well as all the people in Finland. Skating in the Olympics was one of my best experiences ever and I'm so happy I got to go." What are your hopes for Turin in 2006? "Of course I want to go there too and I wish for two spots for Finland. But it's too early to start predicting winners; so much can happen in two years! Everyone will get much better and I will too!" Susanna Pöykiö, Alisa Drei and yourself are the Finnish top ladies. Has the competition amongst you influenced your personal progress? "I don't really view them as competition. We're all representing Finland and we all want to skate our best. But I think it has helped me to develop my own style and to try harder." What do you do before you compete? "I concentrate hard on the competition and try to get a lot of rest. I run through my program on the floor, where it is perfect, and then try to transfer that feeling to the ice and the actual performance. Before I leave the hotel to go to the arena, I visualize a perfect skate so it's in my head when I go out there." What does your training schedule entail? "Besides skating, I have dance or ballet classes twice a week and I also work out, run and stretch. Ballet is kind of boring but it really does help. Most of all, I like to train on the ice!" You train in Helsinki as well as in Flims, Switzerland. "Yes, I have spent two summers in Viktor Kudriavtzev's camp. I like the atmosphere there and I meet skaters from all around the world. I learn a lot from them and from Viktor." A year ago, you switched coaches and started working with Tiiu Valgemäe. "My former coach Susanna Haarala had a baby and moved to another city so I had to find a new coach. Tiiu and I work well together and although my results don't show it yet I think I have improved." How do you select music for your programs? "My coach and I are always listening for good music and once we have decided, the choreographer and I put the moves together. The programs are made in the spring, before summer training. It takes about a week but it takes a long time to really know the program and to be able to skate it well. I will have a new free program for next season and I want to do something different so it won't be classical music." And your costumes? "This year I got them from St. Petersburg. I always decide the color and style myself." Are you active in any other sport? "Whenever I have a chance, I go snowboarding! People tell me it's dangerous but it really isn't as long as I stay out of the jumps. And it's so much fun, I just love it! There have always been a lot of sports in my family and I watch it a lot on TV also. I like alpine skiing and gymnastics." Who has influenced your skating the most? "My previous coach Susanna Haarala. She taught me so much more than skating. She taught me good sportsmanship and I really appreciate her as a person and for all she taught me. I always watch what other skaters do and I learn a lot from them. I don't have any particular favorites though." Some claim the sport of figure skating has lost credibility after the scandal with the pairs in Salt Lake City. How do you feel about the new system? "Sometimes people will tell me, 'Figure skating is so beautiful, but what's wrong with the judges?' But I think most people understand that it's very difficult to skate and do jumps. I don't understand the Code of Points that well yet. I can look at the numbers but not really get what they mean and it seems to vary from one competition to another, I find it rather complicated." What are your plans for next season? "It's a little early to say yet. Nothing's been decided, but I'll probably start in Oberstdorf [Nebelhorn Trophy] and of course I hope for a Grand prix assignment again. I also want to do the Finlandia Trophy and I'd love another Bofrost! And of course I'd like to represent Finland at Europeans and Worlds." Have you ever thought of skating pairs and who would be your dream partner? "I tried it once just for fun with a guy, we didn't have a coach or anything and it wasn't serious at all but we had a good time. I'm not planning on going into pairs but if I did, I'd love to skate with David Beckham!" What are your best qualities? "I have a lot of determination and I can do well under pressure. If I fail an element early in a program I can put it out of my mind and focus on what's left. I don't dwell on past mistakes, I look ahead!" Do you have any less desirable qualities? "Sure I do! For one thing, I shouldn't get so angry when I miss something, I should just relax and mellow out. And I'd like to have more persistence and self-control." How does your family influence your skating? "They have always been very supportive of me even though they had to give up some things since so much money has gone into my training. We have always been a sports family, not to compete but for fun. My parents have gone with me to Europeans to watch. They were never skaters but they are figure skating fans now and very interested in skating and skaters." Besides skating, you're also enrolled in a business college in Helsinki. "Yes, and in the future I'd like to combine business and sports. I know figure skating so well I'd like to stay in the sport for a long time, maybe as a part time coach. I haven't skated in shows but I could consider that too. The Finnish Olympic Committee is giving me financial support for my training so I'd like to stay eligible at least until Turin, then we'll see what happens." |
For Finland 's Elina Kettunen, the 2003-04 season won't be remembered as one of her best. But she finished on a high note with gold at the 2004 Nordic Championships held in Helsingborg, Sweden, winning her 4th Nordic title. At 22, she can already look back on many years of training and competing and doesn't mind sharing her thoughts. Her radiant smile is contagious and laughter is never far away.