Pulkinen Looks to the Future

For Camden Pulkinen, this summer is a career turning point. A few months ago, he made his ISU World Championships debut in Montpellier, France, where he placed an impressive third in the free skate and fifth overall. Pulkinen, 22, now seeks to build on that success and take his skating to a new level over the next four years. A key part of his plan is a change in training locations and coaches to Alex Johnson and Rafael Arutunian.
 
Pulkinen's result at the World Championships was a satisfying end to a tumultuous season. After mixed performances in fall 2021, he hit his stride at the 2022 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships, placing fifth. But his next event–the 2022 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships–wasn't his best, and he finished 12th.
 
Pulkinen took motivation from both competitions to prepare for the World Championships, using his performances in Nashville as a confidence booster.
 
"It definitely helped a lot, knowing that I had skated programs that were maybe 90 percent clean," Pulkinen said. "I drew on Nationals [U.S. Championships] to build that upward, end-of-season trajectory."
 
The disappointment at Four Continents, meanwhile, helped light a fire.
 
"I didn't have the best Four Continents. It was very tough. Thinking that was my last opportunity to skate these programs didn't make me feel great inside," Pulkinen admitted. He came back determined to train harder, although he was only an alternate for Worlds.
 
"I was a little bit angry from Four Continents, and I fueled that into training and drew upon that low note to push and push and act like I was going to Worlds," Pulkinen said. "Whether I went or not, I would be prepared."
 
Shortly before the World Championships, Pulkinen learned that he would replace Olympic champion Nathan Chen on the team.
 
"It was a whirlwind of events," Pulkinen said of his last-minute addition. "And honestly, that might have helped in my favor. It didn't allow me time to think and overthink."
 
The men's field in Montpellier was among the strongest Pulkinen had faced.
 
"At the practices, someone's doing a quad here, a quad there. It can be intimidating," he noted. "But you learn from a young age how to deal with the intimidation game. And I'm pretty good friends with a lot of the guys. We're competitive, but we want each other to skate well. I like that dynamic."
 
Pulkinen reflected on the significance of winning a small medal at Worlds.
 
"It felt so good to represent Team USA, U.S. Figure Skating, and my friends and family at this big competition that, honestly, as a little kid, I'd always wanted to compete at," he said. "The biggest thing was just being there, and the validation that I'm capable, and I can deliver two great programs under pressure. That's something that I'm carrying now."
 
After Worlds, Pulkinen's thoughts turned to next season–and the next four years. His decision to transfer from the University of Colorado Colorado Springs to Columbia University in New York City meant big changes. He also wanted to lay a foundation for his skating to grow before the Olympic Winter Games Milan 2026. 
 
In June, Pulkinen announced that he would work with Arutunian in Irvine, California, and with Johnson in New York City. Arutunian, longtime coach of Nathan Chen, is a renowned technical specialist, while former U.S. competitor Johnson is noted for his artistry and performance skills.
 
"I knew I was going to be training in New York City, and I needed a head coach there to oversee everything. Luckily, Alex Johnson had just moved to the city, and we have a great rapport," Pulkinen explained. "I've also had the opportunity to train with Rafael. I think we have a good plan for the next four years."
 
Pulkinen is spending the summer in Irvine, where he hopes to benefit from Arutunian's training approach.
 
"I saw his students being very independent and efficient with their training," Pulkinen noted. "That was something I wanted to instill in myself. Especially when I'm going to New York City and having maybe an 'un-ideal' training situation."
 
Moving forward technically is also a big goal.
 
"He's developed skaters in a way that has allowed them to do multiple quads consistently," Pulkinen said of Artunian. "I know that if I want to be a serious contender for an Olympic medal, I need to start adding quads over the next few years. I really trust that he's going to help me get there. He's hard on me, but I know he just wants me to get to the best point I can. It's not from a place of anger or doing something for no reason. There's an underlying sense of care."
 
Pulkinen said that his work with Arutunian has broadened his perspective on jump technique. They aim for "quality repetitions" of jumps in practice.
 
"I'm repeating jumps with a mindset of changing or correcting technique," Pulkinen said. "Not just doing a triple Lutz but doing it with the intention of making technical corrections, over and over. It definitely adds a level of mental fatigue. But I'm starting that process now, so maybe in a few years, I could be adding four or five quads. I would like to be able to do all the quads, not just one or two more."
 
Pulkinen is further spurred by U.S. teammate Ilia Malinin, who is pushing the technical envelope with the quad Axel jump he has landed in practice videos.
 
"I think it's great," Pulkinen said of his teammate's exploits. "If you can do it, then do it. Ilia's showing us that it's possible to do the quad Axel. I think we'll see more of that. It takes that one person to do it, to show everyone it's possible. It does put pressure on me, but there's always pressure with competition. Sports are about pressure."
 
This fall, Pulkinen will begin studies at Columbia University. During the fall semester, he'll take humanities classes to meet requirements. He plans to take more finance and economics courses in spring 2023.
 
"I'll be living on campus. I just got approved for housing," Pulkinen said. "And I'll be training at Chelsea Piers [a rink in southern Manhattan]. Tentatively, I'll train in the morning and have classes in the afternoon." He expects to commute via subway between Columbia and Chelsea Piers.
 
Pulkinen will rely on Johnson's example to help navigate his new schedule. Johnson earned a bachelor's degree in finance during his skating career, and now works on Target's strategy team as a strategic intelligence senior consultant in New York City.
 
"I'm really excited to have him as a voice in my career. He went through the same process of committing to full-time college and competing internationally. So I think his expertise can help. And he's going to drill me to the bone and work on my spins, turns, and expression," Pulkinen said with a smile. "Alex was one of the best performers in the world. I hope to take some of the qualities he had and bring them into my skating."
 
The next few years look set to be full of growth for Pulkinen in many areas.