Speedskating in Oulun Tarmo

December 1999, Pentti Kiiskinen

Speed skating has been practiced in Oulun Tarmo already from 1920's. Present jaostotoiminta has been continuous from year 1956. Training policy in Oulun Tarmo has been always objective-oriented. The idea is to offer requirements for skater from junior to the top level. In addition to the national competition activity Oulun tarmo is also part of calotte activity. Oulun Tarmo won the traditional town match in 1997, this competition had with it several clubs from North part of Norway. Along with Norway, skaters have training contacts to Heerenveen (Holland) and Berlin (Germany) and competition exchange to Olenegorsk (Russia).

Six times Finnish Sprint Champion Jouko Vesterlund took part several World Championships and was Olympic competitor in Sarajevo 1984. At the moment skaters of Oulun Tarmo are at the top of national level! In year 1998 Samuli Ollanketo won the Finnish Allround Championship making his last year silver medal little brighter. Samuli was also in 1998 Finnish Distance Championships at second place in four distances. Also Pertti Kiiskinen is a part of national top level by being third in year 1994 Finn Allround Champs and in 1997 10 000m bronze. Samuli Ollanketo won also elections in 1998 and represent Finland in World Championships which were held march -98 in Heerenveen, Holland. For season 1999 Oulun Tarmo's skaters prepared themselves camping at summer time in Hamar and autumn in Berlin. There has been always girl skaters in Oulun Tarmo. Mari Moisala and Hanna-Kaisa Lempinen has collected medals in Finnish relay- and team Champion competitions. Hanna-Kaisa Lempinen has been a part of ikäkausimaaottelussa many years.

February 2005, Pentti Kiiskinen

More than five years has passed since the above glance, and speed skating continues stronger than ever when counted by numbers. There are about sixty (60) speed skaters from whom most exercise and compete in master classes (age range from 35 to 65 years). Samuli, Jani and Pertti have finished their studies and compete as time allows from work and family life. During last few years also younger skaters have formed an active group of excercisers (more than 10 skaters). Janne Lempinen got bronze from Finnish championships in 19 years class in 2004. Jarmo Levo got silver from Finnish championships in 17 years class in 2005. Jouko Vesterlund acts as international starter in European championships and World championships competitions. Pentti Kiiskinen acted in the Finnish Skating Union committee until the end of year 2004. Five years ago the sports office of Oulu started co-operation with Oulun Tarmo to arrange skating schools, which have been really popular. There have been 150 to 300 skaters between 5 to 8 years old childred yearly. All together, more than 1000 boys and girls have participated the skating schools.

You can start speed skating training already before school age. There are about forty pairs of skates which can be borrowed in track of Raatti, so you can start with Clubs own skates. These same training hours are used by skating keep-fit training enthusiasts. In charge of speed skating activity is Pentti Kiiskinen.

We have activities year around. In summers we inline skate and cycle. For speed skaters there are special trainings also. Transition to ice happens in the beginning of October. In the 250m artifical ice rink in Raksila we have about four practise times weekly. In the middle of December we move to Raatti 333m natural ice track. There we have six practice times weekly. Skating season ends in the second half of March.