If this were poker, that would be a “four of a kind” situation – with Russian skaters taking all gold on the table at this year’s edition of CS Finlandia Trophy. And one of the four events in particular was won in a decisive manner – ice dancers Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin really hit the jackpot with this season’s set of programs.
Finlandia Trophy champions for the third time in their career (2014, 2016, 2018), Alexandra and Ivan skate a flamenco-tango rhythm dance – what a bold choice, what a bold program – while still saving all their aces for the free skate: a sensual, powerful dance to the rich voice of Beth Hart.
Winning the Espoo crown for the second time – quite literally, as you will see – was the ladies’ champion, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, showing character, confidence in both her programs at Finlandia. The pairs’ gold went to the favorites Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov (2018 World silver medalists), while the men’s crown was claimed by this year’s World bronze medalist, Mikhail Kolyada.
And this is the journey of the medalists in Espoo, programs, podiums, joy included. Be warned though: tens of wonderful photos follow, so you might stay here for a while.
ICE DANCE
Gold: Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin, Russia, 200.78 points
Silver: Olivia Smart and Adrián Díaz, Spain, 180.07 points
Bronze: Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac, France, 176.46 points
Alexandra Stepanova and Ivan Bukin
RD: Malaguena performed by Blast, Tango Suite Part III by Al Di Meola,
Carmen’s Story performed by Edith Piaf
FD: Am I The One by Beth Hart
Olivia Smart and Adrián Díaz
RD: A Evaristo Carriego performed by Orquestra Color Tango
FD: A Day in the Life by Jeff Beck, Something by The Beatles,
Let It Be by The Beatles
Marie-Jade Lauriault and Romain Le Gac
RD: Cellblock Tango, Roxie (from “Chicago”) by John Kander, Fred Ebb
FD: Treasure by Bruno Mars, Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars,
Uptown Funk by Bruno Mars

Ice dance podium at 2018 Finlandia Trophy

Silver and bronze for team Gadbois in Espoo – and that’s how training mates celebrate medals

And when the fun of medal ceremony is over, it’s time for the press conference with the medalists. And that’s even funnier, as you can see.
LADIES
Gold: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Russia, 202.85 points
Silver: Elizabet Tursynbaeva, Kazakhstan, 200.74 points
Bronze: Viveca Lindfors, Finland, 187.19 points
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva
SP: Assassin’s Tango by John Powell
FS: You Don’t Love Me by Caro Emerald, Petite Fleur by The Hot Sardines,
Catgroove by Parov Stelar

Top 3 ladies after SP: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva was in the lead, followed by Elizabet Tursynbaeva and Stanislava Konstantinova

Queen Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, crownded for the second time at Finlandia (she won her first gold in 2014)
Elizabet Tursynbaeva
SP: Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven (choreo. by Daniil Gleichengauz)
FS: Otoño Porteño by Astor Piazzolla (choreo. by Daniil Gleichengauz)
Viveca Lindfors
SP: Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again from Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber
FS: Les Miserables soundtrack

Group photo: ice dance and ladies medalists at 2018 Finlandia Trophy
MEN
Gold: Mikhail Kolyada, Russia, 250.58 points
Silver: Junhwan Cha, South Korea, 239.19 points
Bronze: Morisi Kvitelashvili, Georgia, 231.19 points
Mikhail Kolyada
SP: I Belong to You (Mon coeur s’ouvre a ta voix) by Muse
FS: Adagio from Carmen Suite by Georges Bizet,
Rodion Shchedrin, Habanera from Carmen Suite No. 2 by Georges Bizet
Junhwan Cha
SP: Walzer-Koda-attacca, Mitternacht (from Cinderella) by Sergei Prokofiev
(choreo. by David Wilson)
FS: Romeo + Juliet soundtrack (choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne)

Fun photo backstage: Junhwan Cha and Dmitri Aliev, sitting in 2nd and 3rd after SP
Morisi Kvitelashvili
SP: Bloodstream by Tokio Myers – Our Generation
FS: Mozart L’Opera Rock (musical soundtrack)
PAIRS
Gold: Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov, Russia, 198.98 points
Silver: Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro, Canada, 193.93 points
Bronze: Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kozlovskii, Russia, 188.54 points
Evgenia Tarasova and Vladimir Morozov
SP: I Got You (I Feel Good) by James Brown
FS: The Winter by Balmorhea
Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro
SP: The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by Ewan MacColl, performed by Leona Lewis
(choreo. by Julie Marcotte)
FS: Pink Floyd medley (choreo. by Julie Marcotte)

Kirsten Moore-Towers and Michael Marinaro, celebrating their silver
Aleksandra Boikova and Dmitrii Kozlovskii
SP: Dark Eyes performed by Igor Bourco’s Uralski Jazzmen
FS: The Nutcracker by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

Winning pairs at 2018 Finlandia Trophy – after the free skate

The smiling-selfie on the podium, becoming a tradition

Men and pairs medaling at 2018 Finlandia Trophy – group photo

Some of the medalists – pairs and men – in the Kiss and Cry

Find the “intruders” – Aleksandra Boikova & Dmitrii Kozlovskii, alongside members of Russia’s Team Paradise (silver, synchronized skating)