SynchroNice / Fourth Edition / 2019

one of the best coaches in the world), but I wanted to understand physics and coaching in general on a deeper level. That is why I applied to University of Applied Sciences to study sports coaching. After postponing the start of my studies by two years (I wanted to explore first my other interest and I beca­ me a hairstylist and make-up artist), I ended up for two years in Vierumäki, the famous sports campus in Finland. As a part of my studies I did my work place­ ment in Turku, in Turun Riennon Taitoluistelijat, as an assistant coach. After my practicum, I ended up wor­ king there as a head coach of synchronized skating. That is how my career as a coach started. Your younger sister didn’t fall in love with ice skating, how about the rest of the family? No, I am the only one in our family who has ended up in this sport. Otherwise, we have always been very active in our family. Our parents made sure that we knew or experienced pretty much every sport… at least for a for a bit. Only in ballgames, I am really the worst! We’ve seen you with a Senior team at Worlds several times, but not anymore, what happened? Yes, we did have a senior team in Burgdorf, for four con­ secutive seasons this last time. Unfortunately, the school/education system here is really challenging for athletes, and that said, there are not that many motivated and talented skaters to combine these two. But I am very glad that in Zürich the Starlight family have managed to establish a new senior team for this season. I’ve been helping them out a bit. There are quite a few mixed age teams but sadly not so many skaters who are ready to invest more time and effort to become better and achieve the level to skate in the ISU categories. Synchro is not very well known or for that matter popular in Switzerland and it is unfortunately still seen as something inferior to the other disciplines. Often, because of the tradition of taking private lessons and paying for them directly to the coach, the single skating coaches may see Synchro Skating also as a threat to their livelihood. We try to spread the message of our amazing sport by performing in events and the revues of other clubs as often as we can. So, what are you up to now, any dreams or goals you are chasing, or do you have a long-term goal set that you’re working on now? I actually don’t have any specific long-term goal. At this point I just wish to continue to develop as a coach and a choreo­ grapher. Life has already surprised me with various opportunities, and I am sure that it continues to surprise me. I just need to choose which path I want to take. Of course, my ultimate dream would be to coach my team to the world championship title, but I am also very re­ alistic as a person… So, my goal is to make my team the best they can be, and hopefully offer experiences and lessons that will take them further in their lives and I mean not only in skating. I fulfilled my dream of living and working abroad by moving from Finland to Switzerland in 2013. It has further opened my eyes and taught me more about our discipline. I have fallen in love with Switzerland, but I could see myself working in some other country as well. Going back to Finland is of course always one option that remains. I for instance do miss the possibilities that the Finnish infrastructure enables for skating. But I really don’t miss the weather and the long winter there! So, let’s see where life takes me in the future. :) You probably made some friends over the years here in Switzerland, how does your work combine with your private and social life? I am very lucky to have my husband Niklas, who happens to be my best friend as well. I can always count on his support. He is a coach as well, but in ice hockey. Working at the same field of interests enables us to support each other in our work. Even though our working hours vary a lot, we often have free time together during the day, but actual days off together are unfortunately rare to find. When it happens, we always try to get the best out of it and try to discover new places for us in this beautiful country, for instance. But yes, other relationships are harder to maintain because of the special working hours. But on the other hand, it does bring you a lot as well, this coaching and Synchro I believe? Oh, for sure, I wouldn’t be me without synchronized skating! It has given my life so much and it has shaped me as a person. I have been lucky to be able to turn it into a profession and it took me to live in another country. Synchro has taught me to work hard on my goals and to trust others who share the same goals. Working in a teammultiplies the positive feelings and helps you to get over the negatives. When I look back, the memories I cherish most, is skating programs (after another nonstop with the taste of blood in my mouth in a dingy ice rink somewhere in Helsin­ ki), more than the fun times somewhere abroad, because of the awesome feeling it gives when you have successfully achieved something together with your teammates. Most of my best friends are my former teammates. Skating in the same team and reaching for the same goals and achieving them together is some­ thing very special and it will keep you together even in your adult years - even when living in another country. And I probably wouldn’t have met my hus­ band if we didn’t end up in the same class for our sports studies in Vierumäki. Through synchro I’ve got to know amazing people like, just to name a few: all of my former coaches, my assistant coach Elena Bondarchuk and my dear colleague Gert Hoffmann, who has a long tradition working with Cool Dreams. From each one of them I have learned so much, just as from all the other coa­ ches, skaters and volunteers I got to work with over the years. It amazes me every season how there are these rare personalities, who are willing to work as volunteers and so hard for the team and for Synchro­ nized Skating and I really value their efforts a lot. SYNCHRO NICE 91