Niina Petrokina: “Right now, we’re working on speed so I can skate even faster. I look to Kaori Sakamoto and try to skate as beautifully and with as much speed as she does.”
After the Olympics, Niina Petrokina has reduced her training load and taken care of her leg.
original source: sport.err.ee dd. 9th March 2026 by Kristjan Kallaste
Estonian figure skater Niina Petrokina is focusing on recovery and speed training after the Olympics, preparing for the upcoming World Championships in Prague while managing a long-term leg injury. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on ERR.
Following the Olympic Games, Petrokina traveled to Switzerland, where she performed in ice shows in Bellinzona for three consecutive days. “Right now, I’m trying to relax and rest as much as possible because there were so many emotions. We deliberately lowered my training intensity a bit so we can build it up again. That was really necessary, and now I’m already feeling better,” said Petrokina.
With the upcoming World Championships in mind, the seventh-place finisher at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics has been working in training to increase her overall skating speed. “Right now, we’re working on speed so I can skate even faster, so the judges can give higher grades. I look to Kaori Sakamoto and try to skate as beautifully and with as much speed as she does,” Petrokina explained.
She must be careful not to overdo jumps in training so that her right leg, which was operated on in October, can hold up. The World Championships in Prague will begin on March 25 with the women’s short program.
“I have to make sure not to over-jump. I think the pain will never fully go away because it’s a long-term injury. I just have to give my leg more rest after training,” said Petrokina.
The two-time European champion was pleased that the recently concluded Junior World Championships in Tallinn gave Elina Goidina and Maria Eliise Kaljuvere valuable experience. “I’m really glad they got to feel that atmosphere. Maybe next time they won’t be afraid of it but will look forward to when another big competition comes to our main arena, so they can feel that support and atmosphere,” said Petrokina.
Before the World Championships, Niina will also perform in an ice show in Kaunas.
Related topics: Niina Petrokina
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