Iida Karhunen: Skating idols and hopes for the future

Finland has one quota spot in the women’s singles event at Gangwon 2024, earned through performances on this season’s Junior Grand Prix – mostly down to Karhunen.

If selected, Karhunen can expect something familiar in Gangwon: she will probably be one of the younger competitors, with skaters born from 2006 through 2009 eligible.

Karhunen, who was born in April 2008, was still only 14 when she took the Winter EYOF title in Friuli Venezia Giulia back in January.

“It’s nice to be the youngest (because) it’s challenging,” she said. “It’s nice to beat the older skaters. I’m not nervous, I just do my own thing and concentrate on that and not caring on what others are doing.”

The teenager, who cites Nathan Chen and Loena Hendrickx as inspirations for their ability to jump well and also be good performers, has big hopes.

“I want to learn a triple Axel or quad jump, and participate in the (senior) Europeans or World Championships in the future.”