Swedish Skaters Make Historic Debut at European Championship 2024 in Kaunas

For Gabriel Folkesson, EC 2024 will be the first senior international championship of his career. In Kaunas, the ice dance couple Milla Ruud Reitan and Nikolaj Majorov also make their first EC start together. Andreas Nordebäck and paraskaters Greta and John Crafoord make their second EC start of their career and Josefin Taljegård her third.

The competitions start today (Wednesday) with the pairs and men’s short program. Skatesweden reaches sports director Anna Burwall between one of the official training sessions before the start of the competition.

How are you thinking before the start of the competition today?

– In Kaunas, for the first time, we have representation in all competition classes, which is very fun and a historic milestone that shows that Swedish figure skating has a strong development curve. There is a very strong starting field at the EC and it will be exciting to see how our skaters stack up against Europe’s best skaters.

How is the atmosphere in the squad?

– It is a very positive and expectant atmosphere.

First out of the Swedish riders are the sibling pair Greta and John Crafoord, who started the season solidly.

– During the autumn, Greta and John have raised their technical level and they have also raised their minimum level significantly and shown more even competition form than before. It will be exciting to see how far it goes here in Kaunas.

Next up are the Swedish men, where the short program will be decided on Wednesday evening. The best 24 in the short program go to the final. New Swedish champion Gabriel Folkesson makes his debut in Kaunas, while Andreas Nordebäck makes his career’s second EC start.

– If Gabriel overcomes his technical difficulties, he can compete for higher positions. There is tough competition on the men’s side and one must not forget that this is Gabriel’s first senior championship. Andreas is back after the injury that troubled him during the autumn and is now charged up to once again be able to compete in the international arena. Last year he came in ninth place and if he puts his technical elements in place, a top 10 finish could be within reach this year as well.

The ladies, with Josefin Taljegård in the starting field, enter the EC competitions on Thursday.

– Josefin has one of her strongest season starts behind her when she steps into these championships. That together with the routine she now has can go a long way, but even here it is important to put the technical elements in place as the competition is tough.

Last in the Swedish squad to step into the competitions is the ice dance couple Milla Ruud Reitan and Nikolaj Majorov, who had an impressive first season together.

– It will be very exciting to see Milla and Nikolaj on the championship ice. They have not even skated a year together but have already taken world ranking points and qualified for the EC. They have the future ahead of them but can already roar in the results list if they get both dances at the level they are capable of. Above all, it is about gaining experience for the future.

Holding times EC 2024 for the Swedish participants (local time)

Wednesday 10 January
13:00 Pair skating short program (Greta Crafoord/John Crafoord)
17:15 Men’s short program (Andreas Nordebäck and Gabriel Folkesson)

Thursday 11 January
13:15 Women’s short program (Josefin Taljegård)
19:00 Pair skating free skating – final

Friday 12 January
12:00 Ice dance rhythmic dance (Milla Ruud Reitan/Nikolaj Majorov)
18:00 Men’s free skating – final

Saturday 13 January
13:00 Women’s free skating – final
18:30 Isdans fridans – final

Sunday 14 January
15:30 Gala

This is how you follow European Championship 2024

Read more about the Swedish skaters in the EC squad

2024-01-10 08:00:30
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