Finnish figure skater Nella Pelkonen ends career at 21

Finnish figure skater Nella Pelkonen, 21, has announced the end of her competitive career, citing long-term leg injuries and a diminished passion for the sport.

Pelkonen, who represented Tappara, revealed her decision in Skating Finland, the Finnish Figure Skating Association's publication. She had been struggling with leg ailments for a significant portion of her career, with a surgery in August of the previous year finally addressing the shin splints that had troubled her for four years.

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The situation had done so much damage to my mental well-being that the good feelings for the sport had largely disappeared due to the injuries.

However, the physical struggles had taken a considerable mental toll. "The situation had done so much damage to my mental well-being that the good feelings for the sport had largely disappeared due to the injuries," Pelkonen stated. The shin splints had been a persistent issue for four years, sometimes leading to more severe injuries.

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I had known for a long time that now would be the right time to move on to new paths. But there was always the fear of what I would have and who I would be without skating.

The decision to retire was made in the spring after careful consideration. Pelkonen grappled with the uncertainty of life after skating. "I had known for a long time that now would be the right time to move on to new paths. But there was always the fear of what I would have and who I would be without skating."

Her retirement means Pelkonen will not compete in the World Championships scheduled for Tampere next spring. "It would have been a dream to compete in the home city World Championships, but in this situation, it would have been almost impossible even if I had continued. I wasn't in good enough shape to train fully," she explained. Pelkonen did participate in a marketing project for the event and plans to attend the championships as a spectator.

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It would have been a dream to compete in the home city World Championships, but in this situation, it would have been almost impossible even if I had continued. I wasn't in good enough shape to train fully.

Pelkonen intends to stay involved in figure skating, having moved to Hämeenlinna to begin online studies in business administration with a focus on well-being services. "I really want to continue with skating and perhaps help make others' experiences better so they don't have to go through the same problems I did. I want to be involved in the activity," she said. Pelkonen achieved national success, winning Finnish championship gold in 2023 and silver in 2022. She placed 21st at the European Championships and 24th at the World Championships in 2024.

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I really want to continue with skating and perhaps help make others' experiences better so they don't have to go through the same problems I did. I want to be involved in the activity.