“I really like that skating has received so much attention in Romania at the Olympic Games thanks to me”

Julia Sauter ended this challenging season at the World Championships in Prague on Friday night with a free program for which she received 20 points less than at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. She scored 106.84 on the ice in the O2 Arena, while in Italy she had received 127.80.

“I tried my best to enjoy my progress. Obviously, it's not what I wanted and what I worked for. But I think all I have to do is come back and try one more year. I didn't want to end the World Championships like this, but yes, I gave it my best. Jthe Olympics were the pinnacle of my career, and in the last four weeks I had to push myself hard. It was difficult, but I am very proud of what I achieved. I mean, I got to the free program, that was the first goal,” Julia Sauter told Goldenskate.

Her total was 159.51 and she will likely end the competition in 22nd place, her best world ranking being 18th in 2022. Before the short program, which she finished in 23rd place, Julia confessed to having suffered a panic attack. The Prague edition was Julia Sauter's sixth.

Julia Sauter: 'I need something to fight for'

The one who represents Romania since 2014 and who, at the beginning, financed her participation in major competitions by collecting funds on online platforms, also spoke about the next season. “My second goal, actually my big goal, was to compete in a Grand Prix next season. Because if I'm going to do a Grand Prix, I'm telling you right now, I'm going to keep going. I need something to fight for. My rink in Germany is closing early this year and I will have to train for four months on my own, so I need motivation for that.

Training for the European Championships in January seems a bit far away, so taking part in a Grand Prix would really give me a goal to aim for in the first half of the season. But at this point, with this development, I don't meet the criteria, so I'll have to wait and see,” she told the source.

The discussion then moved on to the topic of what he would do in the future. “TI also need to talk to my husband and then make a decision about what the future holds for me. In fact, now we have a federation in Romania and maybe for me this is beneficial and I can get some funding”, Julia told Goldenskate. She has been married since 2021 to American ice hockey player Robbie Czarnik.

She added: “I really like the fact that skating got so much attention in Romania at the Olympics because of me and that so many people follow the sport now. I really hope that many kids start skating in Romania, especially now that we have a federation.” And his advice to children is: “Work hard, follow your heart and emotions.”

The Romanian Figure Skating Federation was dissolved ten years ago due to legal irregularities, the year 2026 representing the re-establishment of this forum.