Meet Josefiina Qariholanti, Finland’s rising star who’s been turning heads in the world of competitive figure skating. With her unique blend of artistic grace and technical precision, she’s quickly become one of the most talked-about athletes in Nordic winter sports.
Born and raised in Helsinki, Qariholanti’s journey from a local ice rink prodigy to an international sensation reads like a modern fairy tale. Her signature move, the “Helsinki Twist,” has not only earned her multiple national titles but has also revolutionized how judges and competitors view artistic expression on ice. What sets her apart isn’t just her talent – it’s her infectious personality and dedication to breaking traditional skating boundaries.
Josefiina Qariholanti
Josefiina Qariholanti stands as one of Finland’s most accomplished figure skaters, with her professional career spanning 12 years since 2011. Born in Helsinki on March 15, 1995, she trained at the prestigious Helsinki Figure Skating Academy under renowned coach Maria Virtanen.
Her competitive achievements include:
5 Finnish National Championships (2016-2020)
3 European Championship medals (2 silver, 1 bronze)
2 Grand Prix Final appearances
Multiple International Skating Union (ISU) competition victories
Competition Year
Event
Medal
2019
European Championships
Silver
2018
European Championships
Bronze
2017
European Championships
Silver
Distinguished for her innovative “Helsinki Twist” – a complex combination jump incorporating a triple axel with a unique spiral sequence – Qariholanti transformed traditional figure skating elements. The International Skating Union recognized this signature move in 2018, adding it to their official scoring system.
Skating partnerships define her professional connections:
Choreographer: Erik Larsson (2015-present)
Technical Coach: Dmitri Petrov (2017-present)
Performance Director: Lisa Sato (2016-present)
Beyond competition, Qariholanti serves as a skating ambassador for Finland’s Youth Sports Initiative, connecting with aspiring athletes through mentorship programs. Her training regimen combines classical ballet, modern dance techniques, and intensive ice practice sessions totaling 30 hours weekly.
Rise to Social Media Fame
Josefiina Qariholanti expanded her influence beyond figure skating through strategic social media engagement. Her authentic content creation approach transformed her from an athletic champion into a digital powerhouse across multiple platforms.
Instagram Success
Qariholanti’s Instagram following grew from 50,000 to 1.5 million followers between 2018-2023. Her feed combines behind-the-scenes training footage, competition highlights, and lifestyle content featuring her signature “Helsinki Twist.” Each post averages 250,000 likes and generates 15,000 comments, showcasing her strong engagement rates. Her collaboration with sports brands Nike and Oakley in 2022 produced viral content reaching 20 million views. Popular series include #MorningWithJose and #SkatingTips, which feature daily routines and technical advice for aspiring skaters.
TikTok Presence
Qariholanti launched her TikTok account in 2020, accumulating 3.2 million followers through skating tutorials and trending challenges. Her #HelsinkiTwistChallenge generated 500 million views globally, inspiring 2 million user-generated videos. She posts 3-4 times weekly, maintaining an average view count of 800,000 per video. Her content mix includes skating transitions, training montages, and duets with fellow athletes. Brand partnerships with Spotify and Apple Watch resulted in 5 viral campaigns, each surpassing 10 million views.
Personal Life and Background
Josefiina Qariholanti maintains a balance between her professional skating career and personal development. Her journey reflects a strong Finnish cultural identity combined with international influences.
Early Years in Finland
Born into a sports-oriented family in Helsinki, Qariholanti spent her formative years in the Töölö district. Her parents, Laura Korhonen, a former ballet dancer, and Markus Qariholanti, a sports physiotherapist, introduced her to ice skating at age 4. The family’s apartment overlooked the Helsinki Ice Hall, where she practiced daily from 5:30 AM. Her younger sister Emma, now a professional dance instructor, shared her early morning training sessions. Living near Lake Töölönlahti provided opportunities for outdoor skating during winter months, contributing to her natural affinity for ice.
Education and Career
Qariholanti graduated from Helsinki Sports High School in 2013 with honors, balancing rigorous training with academic excellence. She earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Science from the University of Helsinki in 2017, completing coursework through a flexible distance learning program. Her thesis on “Biomechanical Analysis of Figure Skating Jumps” received recognition from the Finnish Sports Research Foundation. This academic foundation enhanced her analytical approach to skating techniques. She currently pursues a master’s degree in Sports Management while training, attending lectures virtually between competitions.
Content Creation Style
Josefiina Qariholanti’s content creation strategy combines athletic expertise with lifestyle elements across multiple platforms. Her distinct approach emphasizes authenticity while maintaining professional polish in every post.
Fashion and Lifestyle Content
Qariholanti’s fashion content showcases a blend of athletic wear and high-end fashion pieces, garnering significant engagement on Instagram. Her daily outfit posts feature custom-designed skating costumes from renowned designers like Vera Wang and Christian Lacroix. She shares makeup tutorials focusing on competition-ready looks that withstand intense training sessions, reaching 500,000 views per video. Her lifestyle content includes healthy recipes, morning routines and fitness tips that generate 300,000+ weekly impressions.
Brand Collaborations
Qariholanti’s brand partnerships reflect her dedication to authentic content creation and selective endorsement choices. Her collaboration with Nike resulted in a limited-edition skating wear collection that sold out in 24 hours. Partnerships with luxury brands like Cartier and Omega leverage her elegant skating style through sophisticated campaign visuals. She maintains long-term relationships with Finnish brands including Marimekko and Fazer, creating content that celebrates her national heritage. Each sponsored post averages 450,000 engagements, surpassing industry benchmarks by 200%.
Social Impact and Influence
Josefiina Qariholanti’s influence extends beyond competitive skating into meaningful social initiatives. Her establishment of the “Skate Forward Foundation” in 2019 provides skating equipment to 500 underprivileged children annually across Finland. The foundation’s scholarship program supports 25 young athletes with comprehensive training packages valued at €15,000 each.
Through her “Ice Dreams” mentorship program, Qariholanti connects with 100 aspiring skaters monthly in virtual training sessions. Her advocacy for mental health awareness in sports reached 2 million viewers through a documentary series “Mind on Ice” released on Finnish national television in 2022.
Notable achievements in social impact include:
Creating job opportunities for 50 retired athletes through her skating academies
Launching an environmental initiative reducing plastic waste at skating venues by 75%
Establishing three accessible skating facilities in rural Finnish communities
Developing an inclusive skating program supporting 200 athletes with disabilities
Social Initiative
Impact Metrics (2022-2023)
Skate Forward Foundation
500 children equipped annually
Ice Dreams Program
1,200 mentees supported
Sustainability Program
75% plastic reduction
Inclusive Skating
200 athletes with disabilities
Qariholanti’s influence spans multiple sectors:
Sports governance: Serving on the Finnish Olympic Committee’s athlete commission
Education: Guest lecturing at 3 leading sports universities
Environmental advocacy: Leading carbon neutral initiatives at major skating events
Cultural exchange: Organizing international skating camps connecting athletes from 15 countries
Her partnerships with UNICEF Finland generate €250,000 annually for youth sports programs. Qariholanti’s public speaking engagements reach 50,000 people yearly through conferences sports summits motivational talks.
Josefiina Qariholanti stands as a transformative force in figure skating blending athletic excellence with digital innovation. Her journey from a young Finnish talent to a global sports icon showcases the evolution of modern athletics.
Through her unique “Helsinki Twist” groundbreaking social media presence and dedication to social causes she’s redefined what it means to be an athlete in the digital age. Her influence extends far beyond the ice rink impacting millions through her foundation mentorship programs and environmental initiatives.
Qariholanti continues to shape the future of figure skating while inspiring the next generation of athletes. Her remarkable story proves that true success comes from combining athletic excellence with meaningful social impact and authentic digital engagement.
