Johan Kristoffer Berntsson (born 13 July 1982) is a Swedish former competitive figure skater. He is an eight-time (2000–2001, 2004–2005, 2007–2010) Swedish national champion and the six-time (2002–2005, 2007 2010) Nordic Champion. Berntsson was the first Swede to land a triple Axel.
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 1996–1997, a title he would go on to win the next two season as well. He skated on the international junior circuit starting in 1998–1999. In the 1999–2000 season, still skating primarily as a junior, Berntsson won the national title and made his senior debut at the European Championships, 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 2003–2004, 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. In the 2005–2006 season, Berntsson finished 11th at both his Grand Prix events, and lost the national title to Adrian Schultheiss. He was 14th at the 2006 Europeans and 23rd at both the 2006 Winter Olympic Games and at Worlds.
The 2006–2007 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 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.
Personal life Berntsson has an undergraduate degree in electrical engineering and is currently (2010) working toward a Master's degree in this field at Chalmers University of Technology.
He plays the guitar and used to play in a band when he was younger.
Programs Season Short program Free skating 2010–2011 Comptine d'un autre été : L'après-midi (from Amélie) by Yann Tiersen Michael Jackson medley: Smooth Criminal Dirty Diana Beat It Come Together 2009–2010 Anvil of Grom (from Conan the Barbarian by Basil Poledouris Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This) by Eurythmics performed by The String Quartet Nocturne by Secret Garden Supertonic Sweet Dreams by Magnus Hyden 2008–2009 La Valse D'Amelie by Yann Tiersen Belleville Rendez-Vous by Ben Charest Axel F by Harold Faltermeyer Moments in Love by Art of Noise Take On Me by A-HA 2007–2008 Boogie Wonderland (from "Madagascar") Studio 54 by Dan Hartman Disco Inferno (Saturday Night Fever) by The Trammps 2006–2007 Merecunde by Titanes de la Salsa La Vida es un Carneval by Celia Cruz Saturday Night Fever by Bee Gees Studio 54 by Dan Hartman Boogie Wonderland by Earth, Wind and Fire 2005–2006 Bombay Dreams Between Heaven and Earth by A.R. Rahman 2004–2005 She Wants to Move by N.E.R.D. Breathe by Prudigy Prince Igor by Alexandr Borodin 2003–2004 Like I Love You (instrumental) by Justin Timberlake Session by Linkin Park Mona Lisa Overdrive by Juno Reactor, Don Davis The Time Machine by Klaus Badelt 2001–2003 Fight Club performed by the Dust Brothers Fear is the Key by R. Budd and his Orchestra Paper Tiger by R. Budd The National Philharmonic Orchestra 2000–2001 Smoke on the Water The Moscow Symphony Orchestra But we Never Talk Love at Large by Mark Isham, Wamen Zevon Legends Indigo Spirit by The Brave Yeah "Color of Love" by Ronne Earl and Broadsters
Competitive highlights GP: Grand Prix; JGP: Junior Grand Prix
International Event 97–98 98–99 01–02 02–03 03–04 04–05 05–06 06–07 07–08 08–09 09–10 10–11 Olympics 23rd Worlds 31st 29th 31st 21st 14th 23rd 9th 14th 20th Europeans 21st 21st 21st 15th 13th 10th 14th 10th 7th 8th 15th 14th Cup of China 8th Cup of Russia 11th 6th 10th 8th NHK Trophy 9th 12th Skate America 11th 11th Skate Canada 11th Bofrost Cup 4th Crystal Skate 1st Finlandia Trophy 10th 3rd 6th 2nd Golden Spin 7th 12th 9th Schäfer Memorial 4th 3rd Merano Cup 3rd Nebelhorn Trophy 9th 14th 16th Nordics 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st 3rd Universiade 11th International: Junior Junior Worlds 22nd Bulgaria 15th China 12th Germany 14th Netherlands 9th 12th Norway 7th Sweden 6th EYOF 3rd Nordics 1st J 2nd J National Swedish Champ. 1st J 1st J 1st J 1st 1st 1st 1st 2nd 1st 1st 1st 1st 1st J = Junior level; WD = Withdrew
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