Kristoffer Berntsson tells his impressions about ECH 2009 in Helsinki.
“Well, this week I had some problems with triple axel during practices in ECH, sometimes I did good ones, sometimes I did really bad ones. Then in short I wanted to skate very well, started pretty good and then my triple axel was ok, but I was a bit slow in the landing, so there was a little mistake and it cost me some points, my flip was not great, but the rest of the program went well, the steps and spins were at good level, so it felt ok, not satisfied, but not disappointed much. So I was 7th in short program. I received about 68 points, though I know I could skate much better and receive easily about 5 points more. Then I just forgot about SP and focused on my free skating, that is the most important thing. I felt pretty good going to FP, I skated right after Ponsero, who showed very good result and atmosphere in the rink was fantastic and I thought I was going to do my best. At the start I did triple Lutz and triple Toe, but then somehow I did some not good landings and I also did big single axel and lost a lot of points. Then I got myself together and tried to do some good elements in my program. I mean anyway the feeling during program was good, I think I skated better than in previous competitions this season, I had better speed. The mistakes I did were few, but anyway in the future I will work on them and it will become much better. I just have to continue practicing more and more and everything will be fine then. What can I say about my impressions of other skaters? Well, I hoped Tomas Verner would skate well in FP and would win, but it did not happen. Brian Joubert won, but I don’t think it was his best skating. I guess he must skate better, if he wants to win Worlds this year. Contesti was great, I know that he is talented skater, but sometimes he does pretty badly in competitions. But in free program this time he did very well, showed high level of skating. Unfortunately, I can’t comment about other Swedish skaters, because I did not see Alexander’s and Adrian’s skating, but I know they are disappointed.
Next my competition is Winter Universiade, unfortunately I won’t go to Nordics, because at that time I already I have to go to Universiade in China. I’ve never participated in this competition, so I think it will be exciting."