Once she was the main princess of figure skating. With her natural beauty, charm and gentle images on ice, she fell many people all over the world in love with her sport. Kiira Korpi has 5 titles of the champion of the country, 1 silver and 2 bronze medals of the European Championship. For little Finland this is a storehouse. But the point is not in statistics, but in image and energy. Kiira no wonder used to shine on the covers of glossy magazines. Since the time «Fay of the North» ended her career, she managed to move overseas, get married, star in a movie about the legendary Sonya Heni and write a revelation book about big sport. I have talked to Kiira Korpi about her sporting life and new interests.
The original interview is here, and today I publish the English version. Here are part 2 and part 3 of the interview in English.
To become famous in one Olympic night
- Kiira, as far as I know, you got interested in figure skating thanks to hockey. Your dad coached the Finnish women’s team and led her to the Olympics bronze medals. They also predicted you the future in hockey.Why did you choose figure skating, which is less popular in Finland?
- I think this sport attracted me by its beauty, femininity and big jumps. I fuzzily remember my first appearance on the ice rink: I was a few weeks old, and I watched a hockey game, where my dad was a coach. Petra, my elder sister, and my best friend started skating, and I wanted to follow them. I fell in love with figure skating right away.
- What is the status of figure skating in your country? I am particularly interested in this, because in Russia the attention to this sport has been riveted for more than half a century, and now there’s an agiotage.
- All winter kinds of sport are in high esteem – because of the cold climate and traditions. In addition, the Finns are anxious about physical education, a healthy lifestyle. Figure skating is not the most popular, but in my time there was a flourishing. Susanna Pöykiö performed, our team started getting first medals. I am happy that I skated in the «golden era» of the Finnish figure skating and managed to win medals. Today the technical level is transcendental, I could hardly compete.
- At what time in your career did you realize, that you skate not for pleasure, but to win?
- At the age of 10, I began to work hard to participate in competitions in the future. Then there were the first international tournaments and medals. I remember the victory at the «Nordic Championship» became a great motivation. But even though they began to consider me a professional athlete, in my soul I remained a schoolgirl who was engaged in figure skating for the soul. And then I went to the first Olympics at the age of 17 – it was a surprise. In one night, all of Finland learned about the skater Kiira, representing the country at a major sporting event. I began to enjoy the fame. At the same time, my hobby turned into work: I changed coaches to more experienced ones, I wanted to live up to expectations.
- What did you like most of all during figure skating lessons: to think about the image, to perform, to communicate with fans?
- Interaction with the audience. I especially felt this at the European Championship in 2009, when I fell at the very beginning of the free program. It hurt so much, that I doubted whether I could continue the performance. I came to the coach for advice, and the audience began to applaud and shout in different languages, that they believe in me. At that moment I realized that I really want to perform with dignity for the sake of the people who are sitting in the hall. Only thanks to their energy I finished the program. I am also grateful to the sport for having made many friends around the world and the opportunity to travel.
Everything about sports
- How did you spend your free time, when you were a sportsman?
- As a child, I was engaged in several sports at once. This is customary in Finland: a child learns many skills and develops coordination. In addition to figure skating, I went to tennis and gymnastics. The rest of the time I had a normal life: school, sauna, family picnics, going to the cinema with friends and on dates, reading books. I was fond of thrillers, and now I read the treatises of Platon, Aristotle and other philosophers.
- What about bicycle, a popular form of transportation in Finland?
- I can’t say that this is my hobby. At home I rarely rode a bike. But now in New York I use only it and the subway. My husband and I fundamentally do not buy a car: everything is done in the city to encourage cyclists. But in Italy I was afraid of cycling – there are cars everywhere and streets are very narrow.
- How often did you have meetings with fans, autograph sessions?
- There were press conferences after performing at each competition. Fans came there to make photos, gave me gifts. The rest of the time there were not many meetings, but all year round I received good letters in the Internet or by mail.
- You know, people in Russia also love you. There was a fan club: fans led a group in social networks dedicated to you. Since your departure from the sport there is almost no new information, but all reviews and photos remain.
- Wow! It is very nice! I didn’t even know that I had such active fans in a neighboring country, I am not used to hype. Please, send me a link to this Russian public.
- You were a guest of the President of Finland, Tarja Halonen. What did she say to you in parting words?
- We often used to meet with Mrs. Halonen at public events. The famous photograph that is on the Internet is from the celebration of Independence Day. It seems that the president then joked: «Oh, Kiira, today you’re not in the skating boots!». Tarja is a figure skating fan, she came to the Olympics to watch my performances. By the way, the current president of Finland Mr. Niinistö is fond of roller skate. I also sometimes roller skate in the streets and parks.
- Your childhood idol is Michelle Kwan. When did you meet her in person?
- It happened in the summer of 2005 at the camp in Los Angeles. Michelle trained there, and I came for an internship. I remember I greeted Michelle and really wanted to shoot the idol’s new program on a video camera – she was just rehearsing. But her coach forbade. Last time I saw Kwan last winter in New York, but we didn’t talk much. Maybe someday I’ll meet her for a heart-to-heart chat.
- Who else from figure skating stars inspired you in childhood?
- Maria Butyrskaya always was so elegant and graceful. Also Irina Slutskaya – a great jumper. I was interested in watching their rivalry.
- Who are your friends in the world of figure skating?
- Oh, there are lots of them on different continents. Most are Finnish athletes. Of those you may know: Valentina Marchei, Sarah Mayer, Meryl Davis, Gracie Gold, Kim Lucine, Tomas Verner. By the way, I talked with your star Zhenya Medvedeva. She is a very lovely, bright and open girl, on an equal footing with everyone, it disposes.
Sponsors: parents and then advertisers
- What financial conditions are there in Finland for skaters?
- Athletes and their parents pay themselves for the work of a coach, ice, costumes, skates, trips to tournaments. But when you become a top member of the national team, the federation pays fees for your participation in competitions, tickets and accommodation. I was paid prize money for medals in tournaments, but this money did not cover all expenses. Contrary to stereotypes, figure skating is not a sport where you can get rich. At least in Finland.
- You are one of the first skaters, who had a lot of sponsors-advertisers. Tell me, please, how did you start to cooperate with them?
- My farther is well known in Finnish sports. When I started to win, the local sports agent proposed daddy to promote me. We decided to try and soon got a contract with «Valio». At first we agreed on a two-year cooperation, but it lasted for 10 years. Then I advertised «Lumene», «Finnair», McDonald’s, «PUMA» sportswear. This did not take much time – I only acted for posters and clips every few months. The agent made my brand, all this gave profit.
- Judging by your Instagram, you are still acting for Finnish fashion magazines.
- Yes, many people know me, editors and photographers apply directly. When I come home, I often give interviews about my current life and about my new passion – ethical issues in figure skating.
The body said on time «Stop!»
- Why did you end your career?
- The main reasons are age and health. By 2015 I had accumulated a lot of injuries, due to which I could hardly jump. The body told me: «Stop!». I was also morally tired. You know, an athlete has a difficult lifestyle – eternal training and adrenaline. Yes, bright events, but when they are many years in a row... In general, I was oversaturated.
- Your colleague Valentina Marchei tried herself in pair skating. Why didn’t you change your discipline as well?
- Valentina is great, but I ended up skating alone too late to start all over again. In addition, work in the show began to bring high earnings and creative freedom. Although in New York I tried myself in ice dancing with the artist who once skated at a junior level. We had several joint trainings – just for the soul. This guy is a world-famous drag artist.
- What is your favorite program in all your career?
- «Over the Rainbow» in choreography by She-Lynn Bourne and «Evita» by David Wilson. They were in the most successful season for me, which ended at the World Championship in Moscow.