Julia Sauter
Full nameJulia Franziska Sauter
Born (1997-06-18) 18 June 1997 (age 26)
Weingarten, Germany
HometownRavensburg, Germany
Height1.67 m (5 ft 5+12 in)
Figure skating career
Country Romania (2011–)
 Germany (till 2011)
CoachMarius Negrea, Roxana Luca
Skating clubCSU Brașov
Began skating2002

Julia Franziska Sauter (married name: Sauter-Czarnik; born 18 June 1997) is a German-Romanian figure skater.[1][2] Representing Romania, she has won twelve senior international medals as well as seven Romanian national titles. She has reached the final segment at two World and three European Championships, with a top-ten result at two European Championships.

Personal life

Sauter was born on June 18, 1997 in Weingarten, Württemberg, Germany. She is a dual citizen of Germany and Romania.[3]

In 2019, while visiting the United States, she met and began dating American ice hockey player, Robbie Czarnik. Afterwards, Czarnik soon moved to Landshut, Germany to be with Sauter. They married in September 2021.[3][4]

In addition to figure skating, Sauter also worked as a kids-aid in a school, a part-time waitress, and as a figure skating coach at her training rink in Ravensburg to pay for her figure skating due to a lack of funding from the Romanian Figure Skating Federation.[4] In 2023, her club was able to provide her with funding, allowing her to quit her part-time jobs, although she continues to coach and choreograph at her rink.[5]

Sauter has expressed interest in becoming a full-time figure skating coach and choreographer after she retires from competitive figure skating.

Her figure skating role models are Kiira Korpi, Yuna Kim, Kaetlyn Osmond, Carolina Kostner, as well as her choreographer, Roxana Luca.[4]

Career

Early years

Sauter at the 2016 European Championships

Sauter began figure skating in 2002 at the age of four. Her childhood coaches were Diane Eisele and Silvia Jansson before Marius Negrea began coaching her in 2010 at the age of twelve.[4]

Sauter represented Germany at junior international events in 2010 and 2011.

She made the decision to represent Romania in 2011 at the age of fourteen due to not being invited to enter the elite group of figure skaters in Germany because at the time, she was unable to perform specific elements that were required of her. As a result, Sauter had to sit out of competitions for a whole year as is required when figure skaters switch countries. In March 2013, she made her first international appearance for Romania.[6][4] She competed at three consecutive World Junior Championships, from 2014 to 2016, but never made the cut for the free skate.[7]

2018–19 season

Sauter began the season at the 2018 Crystal Skate of Romania, winning the silver medal, fourteenth at the 2018 CS Alpen Trophy, and fifth at the 2018 Warsaw Cup.[7]

At the 2019 European Championships in Minsk, Belarus, Sauter qualified to the final segment of an ISU Championship for the first time in her career. She went on to finish fourteenth overall.[7]

Making her World Championship debut at the 2019 edition in Saitama, Japan, Sauter placed twenty-ninth in the short program and didn't advance to the free skate.[7]

2019–20 season and 2020–21 season

Sauter left longtime coach, Marius Negrea after deciding to move to from Ravensburg to Landshut, where her newlywed husband was living. She did not compete during the 2019–20 season, which she later cited was due to a lack of motivation, having achieved her dream of finishing in the top 30 at a World Championships the previous season as well as an ankle injury that kept her off the ice for six weeks. She also missed the 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic preventing her from getting any ice time to train.

In October 2020, Sauter decided to return to return to coach, Marius Negrea and worked virtually with him until August 2021 when the ice rink in Ravensburg re-opened.[4] Prior to that, Sauter trained in Atlanta, Georgia from April to July, where her husband's parents live, and worked with Negrea virtually.[4]

2021–22 season

Making her return to competition at the 2021 CS Lombardia Trophy, Sauter finished thirteenth. She went on to place twentieth at the 2021 CS Nebelhorn Trophy, and third at the 2021 Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur.[7]

At the 2022 Romanian Championships, Sauter won her sixth national title. She then finished fourth at both the 2021 Skate Celje and the 2021 Santa Claus Cup.[7]

Although assigned to compete at the 2022 European Championships, Sauter had to withdraw from the event after testing positive for COVID-19.[4] She then went on to win bronze at both 2022 Skate Helena and the 2022 Dragon Trophy.[7]

Competing at the World Championships for the second time in her career, in Montpellier, France, Sauter qualified for the free skate after placing nineteenth in the short program. She came eighteenth in the free skate, moving up to eighteenth place overall.[7]

2022–23 season

Sauter began the season by finishing eighth at the 2022 Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur and winning silver at the 2022 Crystal Skate of Romania. She was invited to her first Grand Prix event, the 2022 MK John Wilson Trophy, where she placed tenth. She then won silver medals at the 2023 Bosphorus Cup and 2023 EduSport Trophy. At the EduSport Trophy, Sauter landed her first ever triple lutz in competition at the age of twenty-five.[4][7]

At the 2023 European Championships in Espoo, Finland, Sauter achieved a top ten finish for Romania, which for the first time would allow two Romanian woman to enter the next year.[8] She then went on to win a gold medal at the 2023 Bellu Memorial.[7]

Sauter started a GoFundMe to pay for the travel expenses to go to the 2023 World Championships in Saitama, Japan.[9] At the World Championships, Sauter placed twenty-second in the short program and twentieth in the free skate, finishing twentieth overall.[7]

2023–24 season

In her first competition of the season, Sauter was sixth at the 2023 CS Nepela Memorial. She appeared at three other minor internationals, including a second consecutive silver medal at the EduSport Trophy.[7] Sauter was ill before the 2024 European Championships and was only able to resume training two weeks beforehand.[8] She came ninth overall.[10] This was the best result ever for a Romanian women's representative at the European Championships. Sauter said of her result that "It feels pretty good to have made the Top 10 again." and that she was pleased to be competing at the Championships with another Romanian woman.[8]

At the 2024 World Championships, Sauter came in 27th place with mistakes on two of her jumping passes in the short program, and she did not make the free skate.[11]

Programs

Sauter in 2015
Sauter at the 2018 European Championships
Season Short program Free skating
2023–2024
[12]
  • Inspiration
    by Florian Christl & The Modern String Quintet
    choreo. by Roxana Luca, Julia Sauter
2022–2023
[3]
2021–2022
[13]
2018–2019
[14]
2017–2018
[15]
2015–2017
[16][17]
2014–2015
[18]
2013–2014
[19]

Competitive highlights

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

For Romania

International[7]
Event 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19 21–22 22–23 23–24
Worlds 29th 18th 20th 27th
Europeans 35th 27th 25th 29th 14th WD 10th 9th
GP Wilson Trophy 10th
CS Golden Spin WD
CS Inge Solar 14th
CS Lombardia 13th
CS Nebelhorn 11th WD 20th
CS Nepela WD 6th
Balkan Games 1st
Bavarian Open 10th 11th WD
Bellu Memorial 1st
Bosphorus Cup 2nd
Challenge Cup WD
Coupe Printemps 5th
Cup of Nice 18th 3rd 8th
Crystal Skate 12th 1st 1st 2nd 2nd
Dragon Trophy 6th 3rd 2nd WD
EduSport Trophy WD 2nd 2nd
Egna Trophy 3rd
Golden Bear 18th
Merano Cup 9th WD
Santa Claus Cup 3rd 3rd 9th
Skate Celje 4th
Skate Helena 3rd
Tallinn Trophy 4th
Tirnavia Ice Cup 1st
Warsaw Cup 5th
International: Junior[7]
Junior Worlds 34th 25th 32nd
JGP Croatia 21st
Bavarian Open 9th
Coupe Printemps 4th
Crystal Skate 1st
Dragon Trophy 1st
Toruń Cup 7th
National[7]
Romania 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew

For Germany

International: Junior[7]
Event 2009–10 2010–11 2011–12
Bavarian Open 15th
Santa Claus Cup 10th
National[7][6]
German Youth Champ. 7th N 15th J 21st J
Levels: N = Novice U14; J = Junior

Detailed results

ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System [20]
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS 170.31 2022 World Championships
Short program TSS 58.07 2022 World Championships
TES 31.90 2022 World Championships
PCS 26.79 2023 CS Nepela Memorial
Free skating TSS 112.24 2022 World Championships
TES 57.27 2023 World Championships
PCS 55.54 2023 CS Nepela Memorial

Current personal best scores are highlighted in bold.

Senior results

2023–2024 season
Date Event SP FS Total
18–24 March 2024 2024 World Championships 27
52.52

-
27
52.52
10–14 January 2024 2024 European Championships 10
58.59
9
109.81
9
168.40
21–24 November 2023 2023 Tallinn Trophy 4
59.50
4
107.88
4
167.38
27–29 October 2023 2023 Tirnavia Ice Cup 1
64.18
2
111.56
1
175.74
28–30 September 2023 2023 CS Nepela Memorial 6
55.55
6
108.09
6
163.64
2022–2023 season
Date Event SP FS Total
22–26 March 2023 2023 World Championships 22
56.02
20
109.60
20
165.62
22–26 February 2023 2023 Bellu Memorial 1
64.28
1
107.60
1
171.88
9–12 February 2023 2023 Dragon Trophy 2
59.13
2
108.45
2
167.58
25–29 January 2023 2023 European Championships 11
56.58
12
103.84
10
160.42
11–15 January 2023 2023 EduSport Trophy 3
53.70
2
115.04
2
168.74
29 November–3 December 2022 2022 Bosphorus Cup 2
56.15
3
108.94
2
165.09
11–13 November 2022 2022 MK John Wilson Trophy 12
52.38
9
104.08
10
156.46
26–30 October 2022 2022 Crystal Skate of Romania 3
53.76
2
104.33
2
158.09
19–22 October 2022 2022 Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur 11
45.28
5
98.25
8
143.53
2021–2022 season
Date Event SP FS Total
21–27 March 2022 2022 World Championships 19
58.07
18
112.24
18
170.31
19–23 January 2022 2022 Skate Helena 3
49.05
3
106.44
3
155.49
11–13 January 2022 2022 Dragon Trophy 3
57.74
3
102.76
3
160.50
6–12 December 2021 2021 Santa Claus Cup 3
53.19
13
74.84
9
128.03
19–21 November 2021 2021 Skate Celje 6
40.06
3
96.30
4
136.36
28–29 October 2021 2022 Romanian Championships 1
53.76
1
104.33
1
158.09
20–24 October 2021 2021 Trophée Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur 5
50.55
3
106.75
3
157.30
22–25 September 2021 2021 CS Nebelhorn Trophy 20
48.79
21
87.70
20
136.49
10–12 September 2021 2021 CS Lombardia Trophy 11
52.08
12
94.76
13
146.84
2018–19 season
Date Event SP FS Total
18–24 March 2019 2019 World Championships 29
53.11
29
53.11
21–27 January 2019 2019 European Championships 14
54.29
15
98.86
14
153.15
23–25 November 2018 2018 Warsaw Cup 15
39.15
3
92.54
5
131.69
11–18 November 2018 2018 CS Alpen Trophy 16
48.74
17
84.26
14
133.00
25–28 October 2018 2018 Crystal Skate of Romania 3
51.77
2
93.59
2
145.36
2017–18 season
Date Event SP FS Total
4–8 April 2018 2018 Egna Spring Trophy 5
47.80
2
99.85
3
147.65
29–30 March 2018 2018 Balkan Games 1
45.50
1
95.02
1
140.52
16–18 March 2018 2018 Coupe du Printemps 8
50.15
5
86.21
5
136.36
15–21 January 2018 2018 European Championships 29
44.57
29
44.57
2016–17 season
Date Event SP FS Total
14–19 February 2017 2017 Bavarian Open 12
45.27
13
82.70
11
127.97
9–12 February 2017 2017 Dragon Trophy 3
46.96
6
75.92
6
122.88
25–29 January 2017 2017 European Championships 25
45.59
25
45.59
6–11 December 2016 2016 Santa Claus Cup 3
43.37
4
83.13
3
126.55
10–13 November 2016 2016 Merano Cup 10
36.98
9
73.78
8
110.76
3–6 November 2016 2016 Crystal Skate of Romania 1
42.27
1
84.56
1
126.83
27–30 October 2016 2016 Golden Bear of Zagreb 15
45.20
20
76.78
18
121.98

Junior level

2015–16 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
14–20 March 2016 2016 World Junior Championships Junior 32
39.67
32
39.67
4–7 February 2016 2016 Dragon Trophy Junior 1
45.18
1
77.07
1
122.25
25–31 January 2016 2016 European Championships Senior 27
41.79
27
41.79
6–10 January 2016 2016 Mentor Toruń Cup Junior 6
42.54
11
65.38
7
107.92
4–7 November 2015 2015 Crystal Skate of Romania Junior 2
36.34
1
66.85
1
103.19
14–18 October 2015 2015 International Cup of Nice Senior 13
39.63
18
52.00
18
91.63
2014–15 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
2–8 March 2015 2015 World Junior Championships Junior 25
45.00
25
45.00
11–15 February 2015 2015 Bavarian Open Senior 13
39.71
10
77.63
10
117.34
26 January–1 February 2015 2015 European Championships Senior 35
36.70
35
36.70
1–7 December 2014 2014 Santa Claus Cup Senior 3
44.64
3
76.60
3
121.24
23–26 October 2014 2014 Crystal Skate of Romania Senior 3
34.17
1
77.29
1
111.46
8–11 October 2014 2014 JGP Croatia Junior 23
34.32
18
68.41
21
102.73
24–27 September 2014 2014 CS Nebelhorn Trophy Senior 15
38.27
11
73.49
11
111.76
2013–14 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
10–16 March 2014 2014 World Junior Championships Junior 34
36.87
34
36.87
29 January–2 February 2014 2014 Bavarian Open Junior 9
39.23
9
70.59
9
109.82
24–27 October 2013 2013 Crystal Skate of Romania Senior 14
28.74
9
73.52
12
102.26
2012–13 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
22–24 March 2013 2013 Coupe du Printemps Junior 6
36.68
4
74.65
4
111.33

References

  1. ^ Bodea, Dan (17 January 2013). "Două straniere adoptate la Cluj, campioane ale României la patinaj artistic". citynews.ro (in Romanian). Archived from the original on 30 December 2018.
  2. ^ "Julia Sauter, prima sub linie la Europenele de patinaj artistic". onlinesport.ro (in Romanian). 26 January 2017. Archived from the original on 10 July 2017.
  3. ^ a b c "Julia SAUTER: 2022/2023". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 26 January 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Get to know Romania's Julia Sauter. A strong-willed, self-made skater". Inside Skating. Inside Skating. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  5. ^ Tone, Florentina (2024-01-10). "In focus: Julia Sauter and Ana Sofia Beschea, Romania's skaters at 2024 Europeans". Inside Skating. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  6. ^ a b "Julia SAUTER". rinkresults.com.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q "Competition Results: Julia SAUTER". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 30 December 2018.
  8. ^ a b c Tone, Florentina (2024-01-26). "History made for Romanian women's skating at 2024 Europeans – on many different levels, for many different reasons". Inside Skating. Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  9. ^ "GoFundMe". Twitter. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
  10. ^ Slater, Paula (January 13, 2024). "Hendrickx finally clinches gold at Europeans". Golden Skate. Retrieved January 20, 2024.
  11. ^ Helmis, Andreea (21 March 2024). "Julia Sauter, locul 27 la Campionatul Mondial de patinaj artistic de la Montreal" [Julia Sauter, 27th place at the World Figure Skating Championships in Montreal]. Radio România Actualități (in Romanian). Retrieved 2024-04-22.
  12. ^ "Julia SAUTER: 2023/2024". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 23 November 2023.
  13. ^ "Julia SAUTER: 2021/2022". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 24 April 2022.
  14. ^ "Julia SAUTER: 2018/2019". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019.
  15. ^ "Julia SAUTER: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 29 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Julia SAUTER: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016.
  17. ^ "Julia SAUTER: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017.
  18. ^ "Julia SAUTER: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 22 May 2015.
  19. ^ "Julia SAUTER: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 24 March 2014.
  20. ^ "ROU-Julia SAUTER". Skating Scores.

External links

Media related to Julia Sauter at Wikimedia Commons