Figure skating talent – Olympic hope makes Grand Prix debut in Sochi

Austria’s Olympic hope in figure skating Olga Mikutina starts the competition season today at the ISU Grand Prix Russia. And it’s a special one, because the Winter Olympics will begin in Beijing, China, as early as February 2022. Whether Mikutina will be there will be decided at the state championships in early December. However, the Sochi Grand Prix can point the way.

Figure skater Olga Mikutina caused a sensation both nationally and internationally with her eighth place at the World Championships in March of this year. With 198.77 points, the now 18-year-old achieved the best result of her young career in Stockholm (Swe) and at the same time opened the door to the Winter Games in Beijing (Chn). But the Ukrainian-born has the Olympic ticket – the came to Austria as a 12-year-old and meanwhile has the red-white-red citizenship – not yet in her pocket. “So far, with my performance at the World Cup, I have ‘only’ got one place for the Austrian team. I am nominated. But who will ultimately be allowed to travel to Beijing will be decided at the state championship, ”explains the team athlete. As the reigning two-time state champion, she should have a good chance of securing the quota herself from December 9th to 11th in Graz. At least when she’s in top shape. But that’s exactly what Mikutina struggled with recently due to the mysterious knee pain that had plagued her since July of this year. It is unclear what caused the pain: “I was able to train on the ice but not with all my strength. Now the knee is fine again – but in the last few weeks the focus for me has been on getting really fit again, ”said Mikutina. However, the test is already rising today (17:25 CET) with the debut at the ISU Grand Prix Russia in Sochi. For the competition, trainer Elena Romanova and her protégé are relying on the tried and tested and the new: “The short program has been completely revised. But what exactly it looks like, I’ll only show that in the competition, ”says Mikutina mysteriously.
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