Ice dance: Matthias Versluis has a back problem at the World Championships

Matthias Versluis (right) did not practice on the ice at all on Thursday. Juulia Turkkila and Versluis are supposed to skate on Friday in the rhythm dance of the World Championships. Picture: Wu Hao / EPA

Prague

Finland of ice dancing stars Juulia Turkkilan and Matthias Versluis the situation at the World Championships before Friday’s rhythmic dance looks worrying.

Versluis said on Monday that he suffered from back pain, from which he was already recovering. However, the pain worsened on Wednesday in Prague, and he did not arrive on the ice at Thursday’s training.

Turkkila, who skated by herself for half an hour, arrived at the interview positive despite everything.

“It’s better this way for tomorrow. Matthias will now receive enough treatments, the required medicines and rest, so that he has a better chance of being in better shape tomorrow,” he said.

“This is quite normal, that even if we skate as a couple, sometimes we will practice alone.”

Turkey didn’t say he’s worried about Friday’s rhythm dance, even though Versluis isn’t in full health. He doesn’t even want to think about withdrawing from the World Cup.

“Well, no, because we’re doing everything we can and trying to stay positive. It’s the only thing you can do, keep your mind fresh and hopeful, so tomorrow you’ll feel better to go out on the ice,” Turkkila said.

“I don’t want to think about it (missing out). Let’s go one moment, minute and hour at a time. Let’s do our best in this moment. Tomorrow will bring what it will.”

The pair’s competitive season only started in December due to Versluis’ injury. They are competing in the World Championships for only the fourth time this season. The pair was eighth in the European Championships in January, 12th in the Olympic Games in February.

“Matthias is such a tough guy. I’m sure that after all this early fall, the amount of tenacity that man has will come out. If he gets on the ice, then for sure every second will be fought for and used to our advantage,” Turkkila said.

On Friday It’s a busy Finnish day at the World Figure Skating Championships.

Turkkilan and Versluis, Finnish pairs of ice dance rhythm dance, and Yuka Oriharan and Juho Pirinen in addition, the evening session on the ice will see the culmination of their season in the women’s free program Iida Karhunen.

In Prague, the first World Cup medals will be handed out already on Thursday evening, when the pair skating free program is on the program.