MOSCOW, November 10 (R-Sport) -Finland’s Kiira Korpi said Saturday she wants to prove she still belongs to the world’s elite despite being among the oldest skaters on the women’s Grand Prix circuit.
Korpi, 24, won her first Grand Prix title since 2010 with victory at the Cup of Russia on Saturday, beating 17-year-old American Gracie Gold and securing a place at December’s finals in Sochi.
“I feel like this is a huge step for me to get into the final and to show myself that I really deserve to be here and that I’m able to really succeed and to really challenge the best skaters in the world,” Korpi said.
The Finn won a surprise silver at the European championships in January for her only medal of last season, and was forced out of the world championships with injury.
The setback prompted a rethink of her career and eventually gave her new determination, she said.
“Last year was difficult with my injuries and everything. I think that was kind of a turning point for my career. I have to really think because I’m already pretty old as a skater,” she said.
“I decided that I really haven’t shown my best yet and I have lots of room to improve and then I start working with my body, got the balance back and healed my injuries and everything and slowly regained my physical condition.”
If Korpi wins a medal at the Grand Prix Finals, she will become the first Finn ever to do so in any discipline.
