Seventeen-year-old Iida Karhunen is set to make her Olympic debut at the upcoming Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics, scheduled from February 6 to 22, 2026. With a clear goal of executing a flawless short program, she is enthusiastic about representing Finland on this prestigious stage.
Iida Karhunen’s Preparation for the Olympics
Karhunen, who has been diligently preparing for her competitions, expressed her readiness to take on the challenges of the Olympics. She highlighted the preparation phase as well-organized, which helped her to focus amid the excitement of participating in such a significant event. Recently, she enjoyed traditional dances, which provided a refreshing diversion from her rigorous training routine.
Atmosphere in the Olympic Village
Karhunen is adapting well to life in the Olympic Village. Her accreditation lanyard is adorned with numerous pins exchanged with athletes from different countries. She remarked on the camaraderie among athletes, saying, “I feel at home here, and the environment is great.”
Recent Performances
- Karhunen finished tenth at the European Championships in January, earning Finland another spot for next year’s championships.
- She won the Nordic Championships in early February with an impressive performance.
These competitions have been instrumental in fine-tuning her skills ahead of the Olympics, which she considered a practice run. She mentioned, “We have refined my jumps and the overall program.”
Understanding the Pressure of Competition
Residing in Lappeenranta, Karhunen has been following the Olympic events since her arrival. She has watched notable events like ice hockey and women’s relay skiing, but the men’s free program left a lasting impression, particularly after superstar Ilia Malinin’s unexpected fall from first to eighth place. Karhunen expressed her empathy, saying, “It was really unfortunate. He must have felt tremendous pressure. Sometimes, it just depends on the day.”
Recognizing the intense pressures of figure skating in front of a full audience, she stated, “You can never predict what will happen. Anything can occur.”
Aiming for the Short Program
Karhunen’s primary focus is to deliver a clean short program, which will secure her a place in the free program. Only the top 24 skaters move on to this next stage, and competing alongside the world’s elite skaters is a significant opportunity for her. She shared, “It’s amazing to be among them. I admire their skills and learn from them.”
Her strategy is to maintain her concentration and remain in her own zone during competition. She hopes to showcase a performance that meets her goals and qualifies her for the free program.
