Thorngren is Determined for Success in Espoo

Lindsay Thorngren is just your average teenager whose passions include reading, hanging out with friends and hitting the running trail with her dad and sister. But unlike the average high school student, she is determined like no other to finish her first senior Grand Prix season strong this coming week at 2022 Grand Prix Espoo.
 
Thorngren started her journey on the ice like most young aspiring skaters, stepping onto the ice in Minnesota when she was just 5 years old. After a family move found her in New Jersey, she eventually began working with her coach, Julia Lautowa, a team that has created nothing but success so far in the young skater's career.
 
Thorngren's success began in 2019 when she won the intermediate title at the U.S. Figure Skating Championships in Detroit, Michigan. Just a year later, she captured the junior title at the 2020 Championships in Greensboro, North Carolina.
 
The year 2021 proved to be just as successful for Thorngren as she placed in the top six in her U.S. Championship senior debut. Despite her success domestically, her international career had to wait given the cancellation of the international junior season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 
 
In the following 2021-22 season, her last full season to date, Thorngren established herself as one to watch internationally. After a top-five finish at the 2022 Toyota U.S. Championships, Thorngren was selected to represent the U.S. at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2022.
 
Improving on her 26th-place finish in 2020, Thorngren came away with the bronze medal, following in the footsteps of U.S. Olympian Alysa Liu, who holds the same title. Thorngren's success has given her the confidence she needed going into her first year competing in the senior Grand Prix circuit.
 
"I feel like I hold some standing as the Junior Worlds bronze medalist," Thorngren said. "So obviously senior is different, but I feel like that achievement gives me confidence and it's something that I can build off of."
 
Leading up to her senior Grand Prix debut, Thorngren spent this summer traveling and attending the Peak Ice Camp in France, led by her well-renowned choreographer Benoit Richaud.
 
"I tried some new things and new techniques," she said of her summer. "I just worked on improving all of my skills and getting ready for the senior Grand Prix and the senior level."
 
Her time this summer was spent emphasizing her skating skills and improving her performance with Richaud's guidance. All of which she has already begun to take with her this season.
 
"I feel like I have definitely improved since last year," Thorngren said. "I have learned a lot of new things and I have had more experiences."
 
Thorngren's senior Grand Prix debut at Skate Canada International was a top-10 finish in ninth. Although disappointed that she didn't put out her best skates at the event, she is determined to show her best in Espoo, taking her experience at Skate Canada with her.
 
"Skate Canada was a good experience," she noted. "I really enjoyed it, and it was really fun, but I have a lot to improve from that."
 
Following her return home to Montclair, New Jersey, Thorngren returned to business as usual, determined to improve on her showing at Skate Canada.
 
"I have been working on improving everything and improving my speed and my programs, making sure my jumps are cleaned up," she said. "Just having more consistency."
 
In Espoo, one of Thorngren's goals is to just feel her best, enjoying every part of her performance. But as with any athlete, there is always the lingering yearning for success.
 
"I know it's not that important, but I want to medal," she said with a laugh.
 
The New Jersey teenager is both determined and empowered as she heads to Espoo this week, ready to showcase all the hard work that she has put into her debut season on the senior Grand Prix circuit. Whether a medal makes it into her suitcase or not, Thorngren continues to prove that she is one to watch this upcoming season.