Catching up with Lara Naki Gutman

March 25, 2025
By Reut Golinsky
Photo © Eva Maria Jangbro (EMJO), International Skating Union (ISU)

We've been looking forward to catching up with Lara Naki Gutmann for quite some time now. Her unique programs and costumes always stand out, and it's always exciting to see what she has prepared for the season. This year, she is truly on fire, showcasing her catchy "Squid Game" short program and achieving an impressive finish on the Grand Prix podium in Helsinki. Although we initially planned to talk in Bellinzona during the "Music on Ice" rehearsals, we eventually connected in Tallinn the day after her short program.

Unfortunately, I was sick during the "Music on Ice" shows, she explained. It was tough; I struggled with my breathing and had to take antibiotics. My energy was low, but I really enjoy working with Laurent (Tobel), and I didn't want to let him down.

What do you think makes this show so special, different from any other?

I really appreciate how Laurent always finds a story behind the entire show. It's interesting that people are eating while watching; I think it's nice for the audience to enjoy a meal at the same time. The cast participating in this show is always wonderful - I know them all well.

I understand this year your story was about a new girl coming to town?

Yes. Initially, the plan was for me to perform more in-between segments besides my two programs, but I wasn't present at the rehearsals because I was really, really sick. So yes, I'm coming into town from the countryside because I dreamed of finding a place for myself and someone to share it with. That's why the music is "I Dreamed a Dream." Deniss (Vasiļjevs) comes along but is focused on work and doesn't notice me. And then I move forward into the future; it's a story about someone finding her place, someone who is ahead of everything because she knows what she wants. That's the kind of "robotic" part of my short program. Finally, I find the man I want, and I just go after him.

You are having an incredible season so far, with your Grand Prix medal at the Finlandia Trophy being a pinnacle achievement. What or whom would you credit for such impressive improvement?

I feel like we've put a lot of work into off-ice training. We started last season, but the results weren't apparent at first. It takes time, but after a year, I can feel and see the difference. Maybe this physical change also gives me more confidence, so these two aspects work together. I also have a fantastic ballerina from Milan, Prisca Picano, who worked with me on both of my programs. Being a part of "Fiamme Oro," the Italian police sports group, has also helped me a lot.

You had a great short program yesterday; what do you think can be improved, and where can you gain more points?

I received a level three for the step sequence, and I still don't know why. I also got a "!q" (quarter rotation and edge call) on my Lutz; I guess it depends on the panel. I actually felt great on that Lutz, better than on my second toe in the combination. I think I lost some points on the GOEs yesterday.
But overall, I felt really good in that program; I had a lot of fun during my step sequence. I saw some pictures afterward, and you can see that I'm genuinely enjoying myself. I appreciate that the crowd was cheering for me, and I drew a lot of energy from it - I felt happy at the end of my performance.

The main theme from the "Squid Game" you're using in your program is a real earworm. I can't help but sing it in my head since yesterday! I wonder how you manage to skate to it every day, it's so catchy.

(smiles) Yes, that's right! I don't know; I feel like I'm not tired of it yet. I still have fun, and I want to work on it every day. I think it's been a great choice for me this year. It's interesting and original. I think it's wonderful that people might hear this music afterward and recall my program.

Stéphane Lambiel choreographed this program, and it was the first time you worked with him as a choreographer, but you've been visiting his school for years, right?

Yes, exactly. I've been to Champéry many times, but this year was the first time Stéphane choreographed a program for me. I've always done my choreography with my main coach, Gabriele Minchio. I had asked Stéphane before, but I was always too late, and he was always busy. So I'm really happy we could make it happen this season.

So how did this collaboration begin?

I've been working with Stéphane for years now. I remember the very first time he and Mr. Grütter came to my home ice rink in Trento for a seminar. I was a child then, but as I got a bit older, I started coming to Champéry. From the very beginning, I liked their working style and technique. My coach enjoys collaborating with them, too. Champéry is a lovely place, and every time I go, I learn something new and gain a fresh perspective. It's always nice to change your environment and the people you're training with, like training alongside Koshiro and Dennis. I also got to meet Ghislain Briand there, which was great and led to our collaboration last summer when I spent two weeks in Canada in June. I really appreciate his approach to the technical side of skating.

So, when everyone is in Champéry - Stéphane, Ghislain - it's perfect; I have everything I need! I join their summer camps. I attended last summer, the year before, and two years before that, but usually just for one week. Then I come back later, too. It's a bit far from my home in Trento, so I try to organize everything to make the six-hour drive when I can.

We had an interesting conversation with Josefin Taljegård about her approach to skating and choreography. She mentioned trying not to "fall into the trap" of pleasing judges but rather focusing on what she wants to show - what is special about her personal style. You're one of those skaters with a very distinctive persona; your programs always stand out, whether it's your "Birds" free skating or last season's "War Dance" short. How much do you think about these topics, and how do you balance what you like with what judges might prefer?

Well, I agree with Josefin. As skaters, we are the ones who hear the music and work on it every day. So, I believe it's true that we first have to like it and enjoy what we do. For me, doing something original and different - something that may require more effort to find new themes and movements - gives me greater motivation to work on it every day. This is what I like most about what I'm doing; it's essential for me. If I just went out to skate robotically, I wouldn't enjoy it.

Of course, one can choose to do something original to also elevate skating as a sport and maybe start a change? It may take time for judges to see that originality initially...

But this is exactly how change starts! You push boundaries, deliver good performances, and then people start saying: "Not every girl must be a 'pretty princess.'"

Yes, I agree. And I think it's a process.

Tell me a bit more about your free skate. Ryuichi Sakamoto's music is often used in figure skating; what made you choose it? I imagine you also wanted to have two very contrasting programs in style and mood.

Yes. I think it's been a while since I skated to this kind of music and chose "normal music" for my programs, so we decided to return to it. I remember I skated to "The Sheltering Sky" theme during my junior years (short program for the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons), and I really loved that program. The first part is "Wayward Sisters" by Abel Korzeniowski, which is a piece of music we combined. We really wanted to revisit that style and those movements, and I enjoy it. I usually perform this style for shows, so I wanted to bring it back to competitions.

Before our talk, I rewatched your free skate from Finland, and it was so impressive. Overall, it was a fantastic competition for you. The crazy part is that you weren't even supposed to participate in this event.

Yes! I was in Tokyo for the NHK Trophy, and for the week after, I got the Finlandia Trophy. I didn't plan for so many trips and didn't have much time to train between events. Still, I was so happy to have the second Grand Prix! I just tried to do my best. My practice sessions between Tokyo and Helsinki weren't great, so I was pleased with how everything went at the Finlandia Trophy. I didn't have many expectations, and being there felt magical.

When did the idea of possibly medaling occur to you? Or was it just a delightful surprise after you finished your free skate?

After the short program, maybe. I thought I could potentially medal if I had a good free skate.

And that didn't add any pressure?

Well, maybe a little. But it was mainly because I wanted to do well - nothing more. With this Grand Prix event in Helsinki, I ended up participating in so many competitions during the first half of the season! I had two Grand Prix events, three Challenger events, two national competitions, and then also the University Games.

I saw a lovely video from your rink celebrating your return from Helsinki. It was really sweet. You were truly a local heroine.

(smiles) I don't feel entirely comfortable in those situations, but the cheering was amazing, of course. I was so glad that many people were there for me and happy for me. I've been there, in C.P.A.Trento, since I was four; I'm there every day, and it feels like my second family. So I was genuinely pleased that my second family was there to support and celebrate with me.

Think about how much that means to the kids: you did it, so they can do it, too!

I hope so!

I must say that the team spirit in Team Italy is truly amazing, especially now as we approach the home Olympics. It's wonderful that you're catching up and that the team is becoming more balanced across all disciplines.

We'll see how it goes in the future, but, yes, it's nice. If I'm not mistaken, we are the largest team here at the Europeans. It feels great, and we really support each other.

This week, Lara Naki will be aiming to secure two spots for the Italian team at their home Olympics. But above all, we wish her an enjoyable experience in Boston and can't wait to see her fun and unique short program tomorrow!