Belgian figure skater Nina Pinzarrone, the 2024 Belgian Champion, bronze medalist at the 2023 NHK Trophy, and silver medalist at the 2023 Grand Prix de France, finished fourth at the ISU Grand Prix Final in Beijing, earning a combined score of 194.91 points.
In an interview with Blossom on Ice, Nina reflected on her experience at the competition, the physical and mental challenges of preparing for the final, her on- and off-ice persona, and her love of baking.
I’m thrilled to be here. This is my first Grand Prix season and my first final. I didn’t expect to make it this far, so I just enjoyed the chance to compete. I felt confident during my skates and wasn’t too nervous. I fought until the very end.
In your free skate, you didn’t attempt the triple toe to lutz combination at the start. Was there an issue with the landing on the lutz? The combination later on looked strong.
Yeah, I felt the combination wouldn’t go well at that moment. It happens sometimes in practice, so I decided to do a 3-3 combination later in the program. I’ve worked on this before, so I knew I could move the combination and focus on landing it cleanly. It mostly worked out.
You’ve had a hectic schedule with lots of travel and competitions recently. How did your preparation for the final go?
It was tough. Last week’s training wasn’t going well, and I was really exhausted. Mentally, it was challenging, and I felt like nothing was coming together. But after a few days, I got back on track with the help of my coaches and team. They reassured me it was normal. This is the first time in my career I’ve had so many competitions back to back. But I’m really happy to be here.
In an interview, your father mentioned that when you were very young, skating felt more natural to you than walking, and you used to fall more on the ground than on the ice. Do you remember that?
Yeah, and it’s still true (laughs). I feel more stable on the ice than on solid ground. I don’t know why, but it’s like I was born wearing skates.
He also said that your and your sister’s personalities completely change when you step on the ice—one is calm off the ice but full of energy on it, while the other is the opposite. How would you describe yourself?
I think I’m impatient in both areas. Maybe a bit less so on the ice, otherwise, I wouldn’t have made it this far (smiles). But in everyday life, I always want everything immediately. If I have to wait, I get annoyed. I think people probably like my personality on the ice better than off.
You’re known for your love of baking. What do you enjoy making the most? Do you have a signature recipe?
I really enjoy baking Christmas cookies. There’s something special about baking in the winter. And all year round, I love making pancakes.
What’s next for you? Will you get a chance to rest?
Yes, I’ll have a few days off, but not for long. The European Championships are coming up soon. Christmas is around the corner too, but figure skaters celebrate it a bit differently. I’ll take a short break and then get back to training.
By Liudmila Orlova, Beijing