Jenni's Olympic training

I was born in 1988 in Oulu, Finland. I started to speed skate pretty late, at the age 16. First years, I was doing speed skating only on winter times in my home city and joining some competitions in Finland.

In 2007 I got very sick for six months. That's when I though I would never pursue any competitive sport again because I felt so weak and out of shape. However, I couldn't resist the passion. I started to recover myself and in 2009 it was clear that I really wanted to give my best effort to speed skating!

I trained hard as well as studied but also worked a lot. It took couple of more years when I was finally financially able to fly to different country. In 2011 I flew  to Germany and raced in the real speed skating oval at the first time in my life! Oh boy, the ice was much more faster than any Finnish ice I ever skated so far. That experience just triggered my passion to train more and pursue to high level international competitions. That was also a good reality check because I realized how many good skaters there's everywhere in the world. But most importantly, I noticed my huge weaknesses in my skating technique and limitations in training facilities in Finland. I had a new goal. I must be able to train abroad as much as possible!

I continued training at home as well as started to go to training camps and competions during the fall and winter. Most of them I did with team Finland allover Europe but also in Kazakhstan and Canada. Something wasn't still perfect to support my skating goals. I was too busy and needed to work even harder at school and at work to always catch up my constant 1-2 weeks absences because of training camps. December 2014 I finished my Master's degree in Business and moved to Germany rightaway.

I spent my rest of the season 2014-2015 in speed skating academy in Inzell, Germany. That again was a very eye opening but also exchausting experience. I enjoyed being there but I was very tired and a bit overwhelmed all the time because I tried to get better times but at the same time I was training like a crazy.

After Germany I flew shortly back to Finland, sold everything I had and moved to Canada. I trained and lived in Calgary for 2 years. It was an amazing experience and good time in there! However, I felt I needed some change. As an athlete, you must be able to live ascetic and disciplined life but also find new stimulus to be able to improve. I feel that Salt Lake City can reclaim the best out of me and help me to get better! I am so close to World Cup and Olympic times on 500 meters. All I just need to do is have faith and stay calm.

The reason why I set this fund raising is to cover my training expences. I am trying to raise 10 000$. Whit that money I would be abel to pay my ice and coaching fees as well as get the new pair of blades. I could also buy better and healthier food and cover couple of months rent. I am married with an American man, who's a speed skater too. <3 America is and will be my home from now on. To be honest, I never saw that one coming but I am happy to notice how much life has gifted and surprised me.
(Me and my hubby Michael. Team work!)


I believe Olympics are the dream for many athletes desbite their sport. That's also something I want to make happen. After everything I've gone through and all the hard work I've done for years I really think I deserve to go to Olympics! However, becoming the Olympian isn't only for me. It is mostly for the communities - for my family and supporters, for Finland, for USA, for women, for everyone!

All the donations are highly appreciated. :) Thank you and God bless you all.