Laura Kivioja - The Flying Fin.

This is Laura. She is a 22-year-old speed skater from Finland currently living and training in Germany on one of the fastest ice rinks in Europe.

As skating takes up most of her time, she tells us she doesn’t really have any other hobbies but she is a very talented multi sport athlete, loves to cook and is quite intelligent, as she is also studying while pursuing her Olympic Dreams.. She sometimes plays a bit of piano when she is at home in Finland.

We took the time to sit with her and ask her some questions.

Give me your juiciest goal for the next year?

• Which strengths do you believe you have that make you a great athlete?

  I think me being very versatile and quick learner definetely helps me be a better athlete.

• Is there a coach or athlete that you look up to as a role model and why?

  I don't think I have one specific athlete or coach I look up to. There are definetely multiple athletes whose skills and technieques I admire.

• Rank the top five priorities currently in your life.

  1. Training

  2. Sleeping

  3. Eating

  4. Resting

  5. Seeing Family/friends

• What do you believe is the greatest challenge most athletes are facing today?

  I would say greatest Challenge athletes face are themselves. Especially in single sport people tend to be very brutal to themselves. 

• Describe your worst sports performance. What did you learn from this experience?

  There are many but propably training too much and then expecting a good results from a race. You also need to remember to rest in order to get better. Definetely taught me to listen to body better and fuel good before importand races and not being scared of resting.

• What does your daily routine look like?

  My daily routines are very boring and same almost everyday. Wake up around 7:30, eat breakfast, train 9:30, go home, eat lunch, nap, training nr.2, dinner and going to bed.

• Tell me about your most successful season in speed skating so far?

  I’d say last year was my best season so far. Gained a lot of experience and got to race my first world cups. It was very great opportunity to learn, watching the top athletes up-close.

• What's the best piece of advice you've gained from your coaches?

  Best advice must be that whatever we do in training, "it only counts on ice". And to learn to be more selfish in certain situationships. (Still working on that) Lol

This or that:

• Long distance cycling or Sprints?

  Sprints

• Short hills or long climbs?

  Long climbs

• Coffee or tea? 

  Coffee

• Cats or dogs?

  Both

• Skating or cycling?

  Skating

• Playlists or podcasts?

  Playlists

• Shoes or slippers?

  Slippers

• Swimming pool or beach?

  Beach

• Summer or winter?

  Winter

• Text or call? 

  Text

• Early sleep or stay up late?

  Early sleep

• Socks over or under leg warmers?

  Socks over leg warmers

• Speed skating or cycling?

  Speed Skating

• Intervals or coffee ride?

  Coffee Ride

• Comfort or performance?

  Performance

• Gels or haribo?

  Gels

• Never skate again or never ride again?

  Never ride again

• Solo rides or group rides?

  Group ride

• Watch Worlds Speed Skating or Tour de France? 

  Worlds speed skating