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Kiira Korpi

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Kiira Korpi
Korpi in 2009
Full nameKiira Linda Katriina Korpi
Born (1988-09-26) 26 September 1988 (age 36)
Tampere, Finland
Height1.69 m (5 ft 6½ in) [1]
Figure skating career
CountryFinland
CoachCarlos Avila de Borba, Rafael Arutyunyan, Vera Arutyunyan, Nadia Kanaeva, Maaret Siromaa, Susanna Haarala
Skating clubTappara FSC
Began skating1993
Retired27 August 2015
Medal record
Representing  Finland
Figure skating: Ladies' singles
European Championships
Silver medal – second place 2012 Sheffield Ladies' singles
Bronze medal – third place 2007 Warsaw Ladies' singles
Bronze medal – third place 2011 Bern Ladies' singles

Kiira Linda Katriina Korpi (Finnish pronunciation: [ˈkiːrɑ ˈkorpi]; born 26 September 1988) is a Finnish figure skater. She[a] is a three-time European medalist (bronze in 2007 and 2011, silver in 2012), the 2010 Trophée Eric Bompard champion, the 2012 Rostelecom Cup champion, a two-time Cup of China medalist, and a five-time Finnish national champion (2009, 2011–2013, 2015). She retired from competitive skating in August 2015.

Personal life

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Korpi was born in Tampere, Finland.[1] Her father, Rauno Korpi, coached the Finnish women's hockey team to a bronze medal at the 1998 Winter Olympics.[2] In Finland her nickname is Jääprinsessa (Ice Princess)[3] due to her resemblance to Grace Kelly, the former Princess of Monaco.

In addition to her native Finnish, Korpi also speaks Swedish, English, and German.[2] She has practiced pilates and Ashtanga yoga.[2][4] She became engaged to Arthur Borges Seppälä in May 2017[5] and they were married 3 years, until June 2021. She lived in Milan, Italy, after she retired from competitive skating, and in 2016, she moved to New York City, U.S.[6][7]

On Jun 1, 2023, Korpi came out as a member of the LGBT community via Instagram, stating that she could "totally see [herself] falling in love with a person regardless of their gender."

Career

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Early career

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Korpi began skating at the age of five, following her older sister.[2][8] She landed her first triple jump, a salchow, when she was 11 or 12.[2]

In 2003, Korpi finished 19th in her first appearance at the World Junior Championships. The following season, making her ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP) debut, she placed 6th in Slovenia and took the bronze medal in Poland. She ranked 16th at the 2004 World Junior Championships.

2004–2005 season

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Returning to the JGP series, Korpi placed 6th in Hungary before winning gold in Germany. She received a host wildcard spot at the JGP Final, where she finished fourth. She was awarded the silver medal at the 2005 Finnish Championships and was assigned to the 2005 European Championships, where she placed 13th. She then competed at the 2005 World Junior Championships, where she came in tenth, her best finish at the event.

2005–2006 season

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Competing in the JGP series, Korpi placed 7th in Slovakia and won the bronze medal in Estonia. After taking the bronze medal at the 2006 Finnish Championships, she was assigned to the 2006 European Championships, which the Finnish skating federation had decided to use to determine the Olympic team. Korpi's European result, 6th, allowed her to compete at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, where she finished 16th.

2006–2007 season

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Korpi at the 2009 Europeans

In the 2006–07 season, Korpi made her senior Grand Prix debut. She placed 4th at the 2007 Finnish Nationals, then went to the 2007 European Championships and won the bronze medal, making her the second Finnish ladies' singles skater to ever win a European medal. She finished 14th at Worlds.

2007–2008 season

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Early in the 2007–08 season, Korpi suffered an esophagus infection, flu, and sinusitis, causing her to miss her first Grand Prix event.[2] Korpi was 5th at the 2008 European Championships. At the 2008 Worlds, she was 4th after the short program but had a poor long program and ended up in ninth place.

2008–2009 season

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Korpi did not participate in the Grand Prix series. Later that season, she became the Finnish national champion, a title she had previously won on the junior level. She was again 5th at the European Championships and won the bronze medal at the 2009 Winter Universiade, her final event of the season.

2009–2010 season

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Korpi began her season with podium finishes at the Nebelhorn Trophy and the Finlandia Trophy, as well as her first senior Grand Prix medal, a silver at the Cup of China. She was unable to defend her national title, however, finishing second behind Laura Lepistö. At the European Championships, she was in second after the short program, but her performance in the long program kept her off the podium.[9] Korpi was 11th at the 2010 Winter Olympics but only 19th a month later at the World Championships.

2010–2011 season

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Korpi decided to try new choreographers, and worked on her competitive programs with Shae-Lynn Bourne and David Wilson. She began the season at the 2010 Nebelhorn Trophy, which she won for the first time in her career.[10] Her assigned Grand Prix events were the 2010 NHK Trophy and the 2010 Trophée Eric Bompard. She placed fourth at the NHK Trophy, then won her first Grand Prix title at the Trophée Eric Bompard.[11] The combined results left her as the first alternate for the Grand Prix Final. Her next event was Finnish nationals, which she won for the second time in her career. Korpi won the bronze medal at the 2011 European Championships.[12]

2011–2012 season

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Korpi with coach Susanna Haarala in 2011

In July 2011, Korpi injured the metatarsus in her foot, resulting in her withdrawal from the 2011 Japan Open and 2011 Finlandia Trophy.[13][14] She resumed practicing toe jumps in October and said they were going well but she did not feel they were completely ready for the 2011 NHK Trophy,[15] where she finished 6th. She was fifth at the 2011 Cup of Russia. She successfully defended her national title at the 2012 Finnish Figure Skating Championships in December.

Korpi won her third medal at the Europeans, finishing second behind Carolina Kostner despite hurting her upper leg a few weeks before the championships.[16] She withdrew from the 2012 World Championships two weeks prior to the event, citing lingering foot and hip injuries.[16][17]

2012–2013 season

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Korpi and the other medalists at the 2012 Rostelecom Cup

Korpi began her season at the 2012 Finlandia Trophy, where she won the silver medal. She then won her third Grand Prix medal, a bronze, at the 2012 Cup of China. At the 2012 Rostelecom Cup, Korpi won the second GP title of her career and qualified for her first Grand Prix Final.[18] In doing so, she became the first Finnish figure skater to ever qualify for the final. She finished fourth at the event.[19] Korpi's next event was the 2013 Finnish Nationals, where she took the gold medal. Korpi withdrew from the 2013 European Championships due to inflammation in her left Achilles tendon.[20][21] She missed the 2013 World Championships for the same reason.

2013–2014 season

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On 23 August 2013, Korpi confirmed a coaching change to Rafael Arutyunyan in Lake Arrowhead, California.[22][23] She was assigned to two Grand Prix events, the 2013 Skate Canada International and the 2013 Trophee Eric Bompard, but had to withdraw from both due to an Achilles tendon injury sustained in September.[24] Carlos Avila de Borba became one of her coaches in December 2013.[25] After an operation in April 2014 due to necrosis, she wore a cast for six weeks and resumed training in late June.[25]

2014–2015 season

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Korpi made her return to competition at the 2014 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb after a two-year hiatus due to injuries. She finished 4th in the short but moved up in the free skate to win the event. She won her fifth national title in December.[26] She competed at the 2015 European Championships in Stockholm,[27] placing fourth in the short program. However, Korpi withdrew from the competition before the free skate citing illness.[28] She placed 31st at the 2015 World Championships.[1]

Later career

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Korpi initially planned to compete in the 2015–2016 season.[29] She was assigned to the 2015 Trophée Éric Bompard,[30] but withdrew from the event.[31] On 27 August 2015, she announced her retirement from competitive skating at a press conference in Helsinki.[32] In a later interview, she stated that she had been struggling with anxiety.[33] She also said, "Every time I started training, I got injured. I was mentally very empty. I took time for myself to think about what I need to do. I knew that I cannot continue competing."[34]

Korpi has continued to perform in ice shows. She signed up to appear as an athlete ambassador and work for Finnish TV at the 2017 World Championships in Helsinki.[34]

Programs

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Korpi at the 2012 Grand Prix Final
Korpi at the 2012 Rostelecom Cup
Korpi at the 2010 NHK Trophy
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2014–2015
[25][1]
2013–2014
[23][35]
2012–2013
[36][37]
2011–2012
[14][38]
2010–2011
[39]
2009–2010
[40]
2008–2009
[41]
2007–2008
[2][42] 		ABBA medley:
2006–2007
[43]
2005–2006
[44] 		Blues:
2004–2005
[8][45]
2003–2004
[46]
  • It's Oh So Quiet
    by Björk
2002–2003
[47]
  • Fantasie Impromptu
    by Frédéric Chopin
  • Spanish Caravan
    by The Doors

Competitive highlights

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Korpi and her fellow medalists at the 2012 Europeans
The ladies' podium at the 2004 Junior Grand Prix in Germany

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

International[48]
Event 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–07 07–08 08–09 09–10 10–11 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15
Olympics 16th 11th
Worlds 10th 14th 9th 19th 9th 31st
Europeans 13th 6th 3rd 5th 5th 4th 3rd 2nd WD
GP Final 4th
GP Bompard 8th 1st WD
GP Cup of China 2nd 3rd
GP NHK Trophy 4th 6th
GP Rostelecom 6th 4th 5th 1st
GP Skate America 7th
GP Skate Canada WD
CS Golden Spin 1st
Finlandia Trophy 1st 5th 3rd 2nd 2nd
Golden Spin 2nd
Merano Cup 1st
Nebelhorn Trophy 2nd 1st
NRW Trophy 5th
Universiade 3rd
International: Junior[48]
Junior Worlds 19th 16th 10th
JGP Final 4th
JGP Estonia 3rd
JGP Germany 1st
JGP Hungary 6th
JGP Poland 3rd
JGP Slovakia 7th
JGP Slovenia 6th
Golden Bear 5th J
Nordics 1st J
National[48]
Finnish Champ. 2nd J 1st J 2nd 3rd 4th 2nd 1st 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st
Team events[48]
Japan Open 2nd T
6th P
J = Junior level; WD = Withdrew
T = Team result; P = Personal result; Medals awarded for team result only.

Detailed results

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2014–15 season
Date Event SP FS Total
March 23–29, 2015 2015 World Championships 31
41.11

Jan. 26 – Feb. 1, 2015 2015 European Championships 4
60.60 		WD
WD
December 19–21, 2014 2015 Finnish Championships 1
55.31 		1
112.69 		1
168.00
December 4–6, 2014 2014 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb 4
56.22 		1
111.59 		1
167.81
2012–13 season
December 14–16, 2012 2013 Finnish Championships 1
66.39 		1
103.66 		1
170.05
December 6–9, 2012 2012–13 Grand Prix Final 4
63.42 		5
111.52 		4
174.94
November 8–11, 2012 2012 Rostelecom Cup 2
61.55 		1
115.64 		1
177.19
November 2–4, 2012 2012 Cup of China 4
59.69 		3
110.17 		3
169.86
October 4–7, 2012 2012 Finlandia Trophy 1
69.27 		2
111.89 		2
181.16
2011–12 season
January 23–29, 2012 2012 European Championships 2
61.80 		4
105.14 		2
166.94
December 16–18, 2011 2012 Finnish Championships 1
58.70 		1
112.28 		1
170.98

References

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  1. ^ Korpi uses both she/her and they/them pronouns. This article uses she/her pronouns for consistency.
  1. ^ a b c d "Kiira KORPI: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 27 July 2015.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g Mittan, Barry (3 May 2008). "A Fine Figure of a Finn". GoldenSkate.com. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  3. ^ "Archived copy". www.kiirakorpi.net. Archived from the original on 29 October 2017. Retrieved 6 June 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  4. ^ Jangbro, Eva Maria (24 January 2011). "Kiira Korpi: "I have learned how to handle the pressure better!"". AbsoluteSkating.com. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  5. ^ Tähtivaara, Sarianne (8 May 2017). "Kiira Korpi ja Arthur-rakas: Kihlat!". Iltalehti (in Finnish).
  6. ^ Tähtivaara, Sarianne (27 August 2015). "Kiira Korpi avoliittoon! Muuttaa rakkaansa luo Milanoon" (in Finnish). MTV [fi]. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  7. ^ "Kiira Korven uudet tuulet: rooli teatterissa ja muutto Manhattanille!". Iltalehti (in Finnish). 27 April 2016. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
  8. ^ a b Mittan, Barry (3 April 2005). "Comely Korpi Captivates Crowds". Skate Today.
  9. ^ Kondakova, Anna (23 January 2010). "Kostner wins third European title". GoldenSkate.com. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  10. ^ Flade, Tatjana (25 September 2010). "Korpi skates to victory at Nebelhorn Trophy". GoldenSkate.com. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  11. ^ "Kozuka and Korpi win Trophee Bompard". ESPN. Associated Press. 27 November 2010. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  12. ^ Flade, Tatiana (29 January 2011). "Sarah Meier captures ladies European title". GoldenSkate.com. Retrieved 6 February 2011.
  13. ^ "Kiira Korpi ei ole vielä kisakunnossa" [Kiira Korpi is not yet in competitive form]. YLE (in Finnish). 30 September 2011. Retrieved 30 September 2011.
  14. ^ a b Paasonen, Elina (15 November 2011). "Kiira Korpi Finds Her Rhythm". IFS Magazine. Archived from the original on 2012-05-26. Retrieved 17 November 2011.
  15. ^ "Korpi "superinnoissaan" kohti Sapporoa" [Korpi is looking forward to Sapporo]. YLE (in Finnish). 8 November 2011. Retrieved 10 November 2011.
  16. ^ a b "Korpi withdraws from worlds, cites leg problems". Ice Network. 16 March 2012. Archived from the original on 2018-02-18. Retrieved 2012-03-16.
  17. ^ "Kiira Korpi jää pois MM-kisoista loukkaantumisen vuoksi" [Kiira Korpi withdraws from World Championships due to injury]. Sportti.com (in Finnish). Elisa Corporation. 16 March 2012.
  18. ^ Kondakova, Anna (10 November 2012). "Gold for Korpi, silver for Gold". Golden Skate.
  19. ^ Rutherford, Lynn (8 December 2012). "Runaway victory gives Asada third GP Final title". IceNetwork. Archived from the original on 2013-01-23. Retrieved 2012-12-09.
  20. ^ "Korpi withdraws from Euros with Achilles injury". IceNetwork.com. 9 January 2013. Archived from the original on 26 June 2018. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
  21. ^ Karttunen, Anu (9 January 2013). "Korpi luottavaisena: Ei uraa uhkaava vamma" [Korpi with confidence: Not a career-threatening injury]. Yle (in Finnish).
  22. ^ "Korpi to train with Arutunian in Lake Arrowhead". IceNetwork.com. 23 August 2013. Archived from the original on 7 February 2017. Retrieved 25 August 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Kiira Korpi hakee olympiakauteen vauhtia Yhdysvalloista" [Kiira Korpi changes coaches] (Press release) (in Finnish). Finnish Figure Skating Association. 23 August 2013. Archived from the original on 16 November 2016.
  24. ^ "Ando to make competitive return at Nebelhorn: Two-time world champion replaces injured Korpi". IceNetwork.com. 17 September 2013. Archived from the original on 20 September 2013. Retrieved 10 October 2013.
  25. ^ a b c Luchianov, Vladislav (23 July 2014). "Korpi ready to return following surgery on Achilles". IceNetwork.com. Archived from the original on 2014-07-29. Retrieved 2014-07-24.
  26. ^ Oivo, Mikael (21 December 2014). "Korpi vann sitt femte FM-guld – EM väntar" [Korpi won her fifth Finish Championship gold – waiting for European Championships]. Yle (in Swedish).
  27. ^ "ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2015 - Stockholm (SWE) Preview" (Press release). International Skating Union. 26 January 2015. Archived from the original on 28 January 2015.
  28. ^ "ISU European Figure Skating Championships 2015 Ladies Free Skating" (PDF) (Press release). International Skating Union. 31 January 2015.
  29. ^ Korpi, Kiira (8 June 2015). "Programs" (Instgram). Archived from the original on 2021-12-24.
  30. ^ "ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2015/16 - Ladies" (PDF). International Figure Skating. 15 June 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2 July 2015.
  31. ^ "ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2015/16 - Ladies" (PDF). International Figure Skating. 14 August 2015. Archived from the original (PDF) on 18 August 2015.
  32. ^ "Korpi announces retirement from competition". IceNetwork.com. 27 August 2015. Archived from the original on 27 September 2015. Retrieved 5 September 2015.
  33. ^ Mattila, Raisa (June 2016). "Kiira Korpi: Ahdistus vei ilon urheilusta ja elämästä" [Kiira Korpi: Anxiety took away joy of sports and life]. Tunne & Mieli (in Finnish). Mielenterveyden keskusliitto. Archived from the original on 13 January 2017. Retrieved 13 January 2017.
  34. ^ a b Elfman, Lois (10 November 2016). "Korpi draws inspiration from artistic side of skating". IceNetwork.com. Archived from the original on 3 July 2018. Retrieved 16 November 2016.
  35. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 19 March 2014.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  36. ^ Paasonen, Elina (20 August 2012). "Kiira Korpi Back on Track". IFS Magazine. Archived from the original on 12 May 2013.
  37. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 12 March 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  38. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2011/2012". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 21 January 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  39. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2010/2011". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 15 August 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  40. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2009/2010". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 16 April 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  41. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2008/2009". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 14 July 2009.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  42. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2007/2008". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 11 January 2008.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  43. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2006/2007". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 23 May 2007.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  44. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2005/2006". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 27 May 2006.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  45. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2004/2005". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 3 April 2005.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  46. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2003/2004". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 14 June 2004.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  47. ^ "Kiira KORPI: 2002/2003". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 3 August 2003.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  48. ^ a b c d "Competition Results: Kiira KORPI". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
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