Kristoffer Berntsson
Encyclopedia
Johan Kristoffer Berntsson (born July 13, 1982 in Gothenburg
) is a Swedish
figure skater
. He is an eight-time (2000–2001, 2004–2005, 2007–2010) Swedish national champion
and the five-time (2002–2005, 2007) Nordic Champion
. Berntsson was the first Swede to land a triple Axel
.
, finishing 21st. He finished in the same place for the next two seasons, and failed to qualify for the free skate at the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Worlds
.
Berntsson had better results in 2003-04, winning a medal at the Finlandia Trophy
and moving up to 13th at the Europeans
and 21st at Worlds
. His results continued to improve the next season, when he moved into the top ten at Europeans
for the first time in his career and was 14th at Worlds. The 2005-6 season was more difficult; Berntsson finished 11th at both his Grand Prix events, and lost the national title to Adrian Schultheiss
. He was only 14th at the 2006 Europeans and 23rd at both the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and at Worlds
.
The 2006-7 season was Berntsson's best yet. Following a bronze medal at the 2006 Nebelhorn Trophy
, he finished 6th at the Cup of Russia and 9th at the NHK Trophy, then regained his national title. At the 2007 Europeans
, Berntsson finished 10th, and he was a career-best 9th at 2007 Worlds
, where he received a standing ovation following his disco-themed long program. His placement qualified two slots for Sweden for the next World Championships, which were to be held in Gothenburg
.
Berntsson tore muscles in his leg at the end of July 2007, and struggled in his fall events. He then finished 7th at the 2008 Europeans
and 14th at Worlds
.
Berntsson had hip surgery in April 2008. He finished 8th at the 2009 Europeans
but only 20th at Worlds, which, combined with Adrian Schultheiss's 18th place, meant that Sweden would have only one men's entry at the Olympics
. Although Berntsson won Swedish Nationals
, he was bypassed in favor of Schultheiss after finishing 15th at Europeans
.
Berntsson won the silver medal at the 2010 Finlandia Trophy
.
In March 2011, Berntsson said he would no longer compete at major events but would remain involved in skating.
.
He plays the guitar and used to play in a band when he was younger.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
) is a Swedish
Sweden
Sweden , officially the Kingdom of Sweden , is a Nordic country on the Scandinavian Peninsula in Northern Europe. Sweden borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark by a bridge-tunnel across the Öresund....
figure skater
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
. He is an eight-time (2000–2001, 2004–2005, 2007–2010) Swedish national champion
Swedish Figure Skating Championships
The Swedish Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Sweden.-Men:-Ladies:-Pairs:-References: **** * * "Der Eissport", 35th year, No.8, 8th March 1926...
and the five-time (2002–2005, 2007) Nordic Champion
Nordic Figure Skating Championships
The Nordic Championships are an annual invitational elite figure skating competition, open only to skaters from Nordic countries. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Skaters compete in three levels: senior , junior, and novice...
. Berntsson was the first Swede to land a triple Axel
Axel jump
The Axel is a figure skating jump with a forward take-off. It is named after the Norwegian skater Axel Paulsen, who first performed the jump in 1882. An Axel jump has an extra ½ rotation in the air due to its forward take-off...
.
Career
Berntsson began skating at age 5. Though he started out doing both hockey and figure skating, he soon focused exclusively on the latter. Berntsson won the Swedish junior national champion in 1996-97, a title he would go on to win the next two season as well. He skated on the international junior circuit starting in 1998-99. In the 1999-2000, still skating primarily as a junior, Berntsson won the national title and made his senior debut at the European Championships2000 European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
, finishing 21st. He finished in the same place for the next two seasons, and failed to qualify for the free skate at the 2001, 2002 and 2003 Worlds
World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion...
.
Berntsson had better results in 2003-04, winning a medal at the Finlandia Trophy
Finlandia Trophy
The Finlandia Trophy is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition, held in Finland. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating and ice dancing, although not every discipline has been included in every year...
and moving up to 13th at the Europeans
2004 European Figure Skating Championships
The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
and 21st at Worlds
2004 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. This event is considered the most prestigious of the ISU Championships...
. His results continued to improve the next season, when he moved into the top ten at Europeans
2005 European Figure Skating Championships
The 2005 European Figure Skating Championships were the European Figure Skating Championships for the 2004/2005 figure skating season. Senior-level skaters competed for the title of European Champion in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.The 2005...
for the first time in his career and was 14th at Worlds. The 2005-6 season was more difficult; Berntsson finished 11th at both his Grand Prix events, and lost the national title to Adrian Schultheiss
Adrian Schultheiss
Adrian Alexander Konstantin Schultheiss is a Swedish figure skater. He is the 2006 Swedish national champion, the 2004–2005 Swedish junior national champion, and the 2006 Nordic Champion. He is the first Swedish skater to win a Junior Grand Prix event, which he did in 2005.-Career:Adrian...
. He was only 14th at the 2006 Europeans and 23rd at both the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and at Worlds
2006 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. This event is considered the most prestigious of the ISU Championships.The 2006 Worlds were held at the...
.
The 2006-7 season was Berntsson's best yet. Following a bronze medal at the 2006 Nebelhorn Trophy
2006 Nebelhorn Trophy
The 2006 Nebelhorn Trophy was the Nebelhorn Trophy of the 2006–2007 figure skating season. The Nebelhorn Trophy is an international senior-level figure skating competition organized by the Deutsche Eislauf-Union and held annually in Oberstdorf, Germany...
, he finished 6th at the Cup of Russia and 9th at the NHK Trophy, then regained his national title. At the 2007 Europeans
2007 European Figure Skating Championships
The 2007 European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion. Skaters compete in the categories of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing....
, Berntsson finished 10th, and he was a career-best 9th at 2007 Worlds
2007 World Figure Skating Championships
The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. This event is considered the most prestigious of the ISU Championships. Skaters compete in the...
, where he received a standing ovation following his disco-themed long program. His placement qualified two slots for Sweden for the next World Championships, which were to be held in Gothenburg
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is the second-largest city in Sweden and the fifth-largest in the Nordic countries. Situated on the west coast of Sweden, the city proper has a population of 519,399, with 549,839 in the urban area and total of 937,015 inhabitants in the metropolitan area...
.
Berntsson tore muscles in his leg at the end of July 2007, and struggled in his fall events. He then finished 7th at the 2008 Europeans
2008 European Figure Skating Championships
The 2008 European Figure Skating Championships were European Figure Skating Championships of the 2007–2008 season. Skaters competed in the categories of men's singles, ladies singles, pairs, and ice dancing....
and 14th at Worlds
2008 World Figure Skating Championships
The 2008 World Figure Skating Championships was the World Figure Skating Championships of the 2007–2008 figure skating season. The World Championships are an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion. The event was open to figure skaters...
.
Berntsson had hip surgery in April 2008. He finished 8th at the 2009 Europeans
2009 European Figure Skating Championships
The 2009 European Figure Skating Championships were the European Championships of the 2008–2009 season. Skaters competed in the categories of men's singles, ladies singles, pairs, and ice dancing. The competition was open to skaters from a European Member nation of the International Skating Union...
but only 20th at Worlds, which, combined with Adrian Schultheiss's 18th place, meant that Sweden would have only one men's entry at the Olympics
Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics
The figure skating competition of the 2010 Winter Olympics was held at Pacific Coliseum between February 14 and 27, 2010. It was the 23rd edition of the figure skating event at the Olympics, and the 21st edition at the Winter Olympics....
. Although Berntsson won Swedish Nationals
2009–2010 Swedish Figure Skating Championships
The 2009–2010 Swedish Figure Skating Championships were the Swedish Figure Skating Championships of the 2009–2010 figure skating season. Skaters competed in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles and pair skating for the title of national champion of Sweden...
, he was bypassed in favor of Schultheiss after finishing 15th at Europeans
2010 European Figure Skating Championships
The 2010 European Figure Skating Championships were the European Championships of the 2009–2010 season. They are an annual figure skating competition in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion...
.
Berntsson won the silver medal at the 2010 Finlandia Trophy
2010 Finlandia Trophy
The 2010 Finlandia Trophy was the Finlandia Trophy competition for the 2010–2011 figure skating season. It was the 15th edition of the Finlandia Trophy to be held. The Finlandia Trophy is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition held in Finland...
.
In March 2011, Berntsson said he would no longer compete at major events but would remain involved in skating.
Personal life
Berntsson has an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and is currently working toward a Master's degree in this field at Chalmers University of TechnologyChalmers University of Technology
Chalmers University of Technology , is a Swedish university located in Gothenburg that focuses on research and education in technology, natural science and architecture.-History:...
.
He plays the guitar and used to play in a band when he was younger.
Programs
| Season | Short program | Free skating | Exhibition |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010–2011 | Comptine d'un autre été: l'après midi from Amélie Amélie (soundtrack) Amélie is the soundtrack to the 2001 French film Amélie.Director Jean-Pierre Jeunet chanced upon the largely accordion and piano driven music of Yann Tiersen while driving with his production assistant who put on a CD he hadn't heard before. Greatly impressed, he immediately bought Tiersen's entire... by Yann Tiersen Yann Tiersen Yann Tiersen is a musician from France. His musical career is split between studio albums, collaborations and film soundtracks with a distinctive sound that is always involved... |
Michael Jackson Michael Jackson Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records... medley |
|
| 2009–2010 | Anvil of Grom from "Conan the Babarian" (soundtrack) by Basil Poledouris |
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) (song) Marilyn Manson released a cover version of "Sweet Dreams " as the first single from the EP, Smells Like Children. This version became an MTV staple and helped to establish the band in the mainstream. It also appears on the band's greatest hits album, Lest We Forget: The Best Of... by Eurythmics Eurythmics Eurythmics were a British pop rock duo, formed in 1980, currently disbanded, but known to reunite from time to time. Consisting of members Annie Lennox and David A... performed by The String Quartet Nocturne by Secret Garden Secret Garden (duo) Secret Garden is an award-winning Irish-Norwegian duo playing New Instrumental Music, also sometimes erroneously known as Neo-classical music.Secret Garden features the Irish violinist Fionnuala Sherry and the Norwegian composer/pianist Rolf Løvland... Supertonic Sweet Dreams by Magnus Hyden |
Post-2002
| Event | 2002-03 | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09 | 2009-10 | 2010-11 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winter Olympic Games Winter Olympic Games The Winter Olympic Games is a sporting event, which occurs every four years. The first celebration of the Winter Olympics was held in Chamonix, France, in 1924. The original sports were alpine and cross-country skiing, figure skating, ice hockey, Nordic combined, ski jumping and speed skating... |
23rd | ||||||||
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
31st | 21st | 14th | 23rd | 9th | 14th | 20th | ||
| European Championships European Figure Skating Championships The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion... |
15th | 13th | 10th | 14th | 10th | 7th | 8th | 15th | 14th |
| Swedish Championships Swedish Figure Skating Championships The Swedish Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Sweden.-Men:-Ladies:-Pairs:-References: **** * * "Der Eissport", 35th year, No.8, 8th March 1926... |
1st | 1st | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | |
| Nordic Championships Nordic Figure Skating Championships The Nordic Championships are an annual invitational elite figure skating competition, open only to skaters from Nordic countries. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Skaters compete in three levels: senior , junior, and novice... |
1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 3rd | |||
| NHK Trophy NHK Trophy The NHK Trophy is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.... |
9th | 12th | |||||||
| Cup of China Cup of China The Cup of China is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. The location changes yearly. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing.The Cup of China is... |
8th | ||||||||
| Cup of Russia Cup of Russia The Cup of Russia is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. Figure skaters compete in the disciplines of ladies' singles, men's singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. It was held as the Rostelecom Cup in 2009 after... |
11th | 6th | 10th | 8th | |||||
| Skate America Skate America Skate America is an international, senior-level figure skating competition held as part of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series. It is organized by the United States Figure Skating Association. The location changes yearly... |
11th | 11th | |||||||
| Skate Canada International Skate Canada International The Skate Canada International is an international, senior-level invitation-only figure skating competition organized by Skate Canada. It is the second competition of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating. The location changes yearly. Medals are awarded in four disciplines: Ladies' singles, Men's... |
11th | ||||||||
| Bofrost Cup | 4th | ||||||||
| Merano Cup Merano Cup Merano Cup is an annual figure skating competition held in Merano, Italy. It was first held in 1997. It has traditionally been held in the fall. The levels of competition are Senior, Junior and Novice. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's and ladies... |
3rd | ||||||||
| Finlandia Trophy Finlandia Trophy The Finlandia Trophy is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition, held in Finland. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating and ice dancing, although not every discipline has been included in every year... |
10th | 3rd | 6th | 2nd | |||||
| Winter Universiade Figure skating at the Winter Universiade Figure skating is a part of the Winter Universiade. It was first held as part of the Universiade in 1960.-Men's singles:- Ladies singles :- Pair skating :- Ice dancing :-References:* -External links:*... |
11th | ||||||||
| Karl Schäfer Memorial Karl Schäfer Memorial The Karl Schäfer Memorial is an annual elite senior-level figure skating competition held in Vienna, Austria. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dance. The competition is named for figure skater Karl Schäfer. The competition is usually held in... |
4th | 3rd | |||||||
| Crystal Skate of Romania Crystal Skate of Romania The Crystal Skate of Romania is an annual senior-level international figure skating competition, held in Romania. Skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles and ladies singles. The Crystal Skate of Romania has been held annually since 1999 and was also used certain years as the Romanian... |
1st | ||||||||
| Golden Spin of Zagreb Golden Spin of Zagreb The Golden Spin of Zagreb is an annual senior-level figure skating competition, held yearly in Zagreb, Croatia. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing, although, in some years, not every discipline was included in the program.The 2001... |
7th | 12th | 9th | ||||||
| Nebelhorn Trophy Nebelhorn Trophy The Nebelhorn Trophy is an international senior-level figure skating competition organized by the Deutsche Eislauf-Union and held annually in Oberstdorf, Germany. The competition is named after the Nebelhorn, a nearby mountain.... |
9th | 14th | 16th |
Pre-2002
| Event | 1996-1997 | 1997-1998 | 1998-1999 | 1999-2000 | 2000-2001 | 2001-2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| World Championships World Figure Skating Championships The World Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which elite figure skaters compete for the title of World Champion... |
31st | 29th | ||||
| European Championships European Figure Skating Championships The European Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition in which figure skaters compete for the title of European Champion... |
21st | 21st | 21st | |||
| World Junior Championships World Junior Figure Skating Championships The World Junior Figure Skating Championships is an annual figure skating competition sanctioned by the International Skating Union in which younger figure skaters compete for the title of World Junior Champion... |
22nd | |||||
| Swedish Championships Swedish Figure Skating Championships The Swedish Figure Skating Championships are a figure skating national championship held annually to determine the national champions of Sweden.-Men:-Ladies:-Pairs:-References: **** * * "Der Eissport", 35th year, No.8, 8th March 1926... |
1st J. | 1st J. | 1st J. | 1st | 1st | |
| Nordic Championships Nordic Figure Skating Championships The Nordic Championships are an annual invitational elite figure skating competition, open only to skaters from Nordic countries. Skaters compete in four disciplines: men's singles, ladies singles, pair skating, and ice dancing. Skaters compete in three levels: senior , junior, and novice... |
1st J. | 2nd J. | 1st | |||
| Junior Grand Prix, Netherlands ISU Junior Grand Prix The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating is a series of international invitational junior level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. Junior figure skaters compete in the disciplines of men's singles, ladies' singles, pair skating, and ice dancing... |
9th | 12th | ||||
| Junior Grand Prix, China 2000-2001 ISU Junior Grand Prix The 2000–2001 ISU Junior Grand Prix was the fourth season of the ISU Junior Grand Prix, a series of international junior level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. It was the junior-level complement to the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, which was for senior-level skaters... |
12th | |||||
| Junior Grand Prix, Norway 2000-2001 ISU Junior Grand Prix The 2000–2001 ISU Junior Grand Prix was the fourth season of the ISU Junior Grand Prix, a series of international junior level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. It was the junior-level complement to the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, which was for senior-level skaters... |
7th | |||||
| Junior Grand Prix, Sweden 1999-2000 ISU Junior Grand Prix The 1999–2000 ISU Junior Grand Prix was the third season of the ISU Junior Grand Prix, a series of international junior level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. It was the junior-level complement to the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, which was for senior-level skaters.... |
6th | |||||
| Junior Grand Prix, Bulgaria 1998-1999 ISU Junior Grand Prix The 1998–1999 ISU Junior Grand Prix was the second season of the ISU Junior Grand Prix, a series of international junior level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. It was the junior-level complement to the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, which was for senior-level skaters... |
15th | |||||
| Junior Grand Prix, Germany 1998-1999 ISU Junior Grand Prix The 1998–1999 ISU Junior Grand Prix was the second season of the ISU Junior Grand Prix, a series of international junior level competitions organized by the International Skating Union. It was the junior-level complement to the Grand Prix of Figure Skating, which was for senior-level skaters... |
14th | |||||
| European Youth Olympic Days | 3rd |
- J = Junior level