To senior competitor Camden Pulkinen, the 2020-21 season has felt eerily quiet.
The absence of fans feels louder than he anticipated. Instead of performing to a cheering audience, 20-year-old had to create new rituals to simulate a rush of adrenaline while preparing for 2020 Guaranteed Rate Skate America.
"I know when I'm at a competition, my [energy] is elevated," Pulkinen said, describing the adjustment to virtual and spectator-less events. "I think that's highly attributed to the atmosphere of the crowd's support."
Pulkinen first experienced the jarring transition during the International Selection Pool (ISP) Points Challenge, where he placed fifth. He said without the sound of announcers broadcasting his name, the silence inside the rink initially felt uncomfortable.
"We learned how to compete at a young age, and that [routine] is ingrained in our bodies," Pulkinen said. "So we have to, not necessarily relearn, but adapt to a different type of competition."
So, to train for his first Skate America®, Pulkinen focused on variables he could control — his "internal fire" and a unique connection to his programs.
"I have a lot to work on, like pointing my toes and creating the beautiful lines I'm always striving for," Pulkinen said. "Some things I know will stay consistent, however, are my facial expressions and the attachment to my music."
Pulkinen said performing the stories in his programs is his favorite component of skating, with or without the applause.
"I try to find more abstract [elements] in the music," he said. "Instead of [telling] a specific story everyone knows, I like to convey an emotion so that the viewers can create their own narratives."
While Pulkinen will miss the cultural experiences that typically accompany an international competition, he said he has craved the thrill of live events. He also thinks the challenges leading up to this year's unique Skate America have prepared him for the rest of the season.
For instance, when the rinks closed to prevent the spread of COVID-19, Pulkinen quarantined alone in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He relied on family video calls and off-ice training to maintain his physical and mental health.
"The first two or three weeks of switching to 'dry-land' was very difficult for me, but it made me value on-ice practice even more, because I know what it feels to have that [outlet] taken away," Pulkinen said. "Now I'm making sure I focus on my off-ice rotations and, if we do ever have to go back into quarantine, I'll be able to adapt."
And that's what Pulkinen is really focusing on this season — adaptability. He is excited to perform his free skate, set to "Close Your Eyes" by RHODES, because of how challenging it was to master the program's choreography, which he had to conceptualize over FaceTime.
"I was so comfortable learning my programs with a choreographer and seeing all the [steps] in three-dimension," he said. "But I actually love it that this program was a struggle to learn. I took the time to not only understand, but really master the movements."
Pulkinen said he wants to perform strategically, reaching the peak of his season at the 2021 Toyota U.S. Figure Skating Championships in January.
"I've focused my [training] timeline [around] U.S. Championships," he said. "I want to place in the top three this year, because I think with all the uncertainty, the World team is more uncertain. There are a lot of great contenders, but if I can really perform, I think I have a shot."
While several aspects of Pulkinen's second year at the senior level look drastically different, his desire to be well-rounded remains intact. He is a business finance student at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs, and while he anticipates spending most of the season socially distanced, he deeply values his friendships. He enjoys spending time with his teammates at The Broadmoor World Arena, like Tomoki Hiwatashi, as well as other skaters he's met on the international circuit.
"Everyone is quite respectful, and I think we all understand how taxing the sport is in every capacity," Pulkinen said. "Tomoki is a really great friend of mine — and I will probably say this until the end of my life — but it's really cool we can leave skating at the rink and just play video games."
Don't miss Pulkinen's debut this week at 2020 Guaranteed Rate Skate America. Catch the competition live and on-demand on Peacock Premium, your all-access pass to the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, Learn more and start your 7-day free trial at peacocktv.com/skating.
