At the ISU Grand Prix Final in Beijing this December, Loena Hendrickx, the 2022 World silver medalist and 2023 World bronze medalist, as well as a five-time Belgian champion, took second place with a total score of 203.36 points. In an interview with Blossom on Ice, she opened up about her performance, the challenges she faced leading up to the competition, the rise of figure skating in Belgium, and why the triple loop remains her toughest jump.
Loena, let’s start with your performance in the final. How do you feel about how things went?
Honestly, I’m not happy with it. Right from the start of the free skate, everything felt off. When I went into the lutz, I totally blanked on the steps. I tried to focus on the jump itself, and luckily, I pulled it off okay. But then, during the choreo sequence, I forgot the steps again. It was like I had a total blackout—I can’t even explain it. After the Grand Prix stage in China, I got sick, and my preparation was a mess. I lost weight, I lost muscle mass, and it was hard to get back in shape in just two weeks. I wasn’t anywhere near my best here, but I’m hoping to get back to full strength before Europeans. If I can skate clean programs in practice, I think I’ll feel more confident.
Despite all that, your short program was nearly clean.
Yeah, the short program is easier to handle when you’re not in top shape, but for the free skate, you really need better preparation and more run-throughs in training. Before the short here, I wasn’t too nervous—I felt calm and just excited to get on the ice. From the first second, I was enjoying myself, and I think you could see that on my face (laughs).
The crowd was really into it, clapping along with your performance. Did you feel their support?
To be honest, while I was skating, I didn’t see or hear anything. I was so focused on what I was doing. But at the very end of the program, I finally heard the crowd, and it was amazing. That kind of energy is incredible.
You had a lot of tape on your back. Are you dealing with an injury?
Yeah, last Friday during practice, I went for my first jump and immediately felt pain. Then I did a triple lutz with my arms over my head and fell. I hurt my back so badly that I couldn’t even walk without pain. I had to stop training right away. My physio looked at it, and I spent the entire weekend getting treatment. I got back on the ice on Monday, but only for about 30 minutes, and I was super careful. Thankfully, it went well. Honestly, without my physio, I wouldn’t have been able to compete here. She’s been massaging me three times a day, and it’s really helped.
Considering the injury and illness, you still managed to win silver here. That’s pretty impressive.
It’s nice to win a medal, but for me, the performance matters more than the placement. I’d rather take third with two clean skates than win silver with mistakes.
In both programs, you get really close to the boards near the judges…
Yeah, I love that part! It’s such a fun element of the performance. I love skating, I love performing, and getting up close to the judges is a way to share that energy. In the short program, when I skated up to the boards, I tried to make eye contact with one of the judges, but she kept staring at my stomach! (laughs) It was pretty funny.
Most skaters find the toe jumps, like the flip and lutz, the most challenging. But for you, it’s the triple loop that’s toughest. Why is that?
Yeah, I don’t know why, but I’ve always struggled with the loop. I can’t feel it the way I do other jumps. I always over-rotate my upper body but under-rotate with my legs, so I can’t land it clean.
At this point, Hendricks’ brother and coach, Jorik, lightly slapped his own leg with a pointed look. She smiled and continued:
It’s also because I injured my ankle a few years ago. When I was a kid, I could do the loop no problem, but now I don’t have the same strength in my take-off.
This year’s Grand Prix Final had two Belgian skaters, which is a big milestone. How do you feel about that?
It’s amazing! Belgium has never been known for its winter sports, but now we have some well-known names in speed skating and figure skating. I hope this helps grow the sport in Belgium and inspires more kids to get involved.
I’ve heard that your skating has inspired a lot of people—kids and adults alike—to get on the ice, and some have even written to you about it.
It’s so touching. I remember how my idols, especially Carolina Kostner, inspired me when I was young. It’s surreal to think that I’m now that kind of role model for someone else. But honestly, I’m just a regular person. When kids come up to me, either on the street or at the rink, they’re usually really shy. It’s so sweet. I just want to tell them, “Don’t be shy! I’m just like you. I love skating, too.”
By Liudmila ORLOVA, Beijing