Anu Oksanen (in blue) with Team Unique skaters.

After over 20 years of success with Marigold IceUnity, Anu Oksanen embarks on a new chapter by joining Team Unique’s coaching staff. In this exclusive interview, she reflects on her transition, the challenges ahead, and her continued passion for synchronized skating.

Anu, you've had an incredible career with Marigold IceUnity. How are you and what is your state of mind? 

Anu Oksanen : "All good here now. It has been a pretty difficult year and a half or so. Things that eventually led to the big changes this spring. They were not my choice or wish, but after all I had to go through I have to say I feel much better now and have concentrated on my current work and enjoying all that it brings. It’s of course different, but still rewarding. Get to do what I love."

How does it feel to embark on this new chapter with Team Unique?

"Who would have guessed… Not me (hah, hah). This is just one more situation where I am where I didn’t think I’d be. But as strange as it is in a way, it has also been very familiar and sort of homelike. I got a great welcome from skaters and staff who made me feel appreciated and I still get to be part of the top world-level synchro. This is an interesting learning experience for me as well."

What attracted you to the opportunity of joining Team Unique, and how do you envision your role evolving within the team?

"This was one of the options I had during spring, but I decided to take the job in Tikkurila and develop their junior team. Also, the future goal here is to build a senior team, the first ever in Vantaa.But the idea and wish for me to still somehow be part of the Team Unique coaching staff was there all the time.

After giving it some thought during summer break I decided to accept the offer. This work gives me the opportunity to still work with a top world-level senior team and puts my experience and knowledge to use. I am part of the coaching staff and my role and work description aren’t limited in any way. I’m helping the team with various aspects; skating technique, building programs, choreography etc. whatever is needed."

Collaboration seems to be a key aspect of your approach with Team Unique. What are some of the synergies you’ve discovered while working with Mirjami Penttinen and her coaching team?

"Miru is very open to any kind of suggestions. I feel like I’m more restricted in that way and want to respect the work she, her staff and the skaters have done long before I came. I’m trying to adjust my ideas to their way of doing things. Hasn't hurt to hear some compliments on my work and knowledge… the appreciation and the warm welcome I’ve received. I really appreciate Miru, her coaching staff and Team Unique skaters for all this. We may be different as people, but the passion for this work and the love for our sport is something we share. There has always been mutual respect for each other’s work and the results we have achieved."

You are known for your exceptional ability to keep a team at the top for over 20 years. What do you think are the key elements that contribute to maintaining a team at such a high level?

"Passion and love for this sport. 24/7 dedication. Always eager and willing to learn new things, yet trusting my experience and my way of doing things. Doing this for the skaters/the team and always trying to get the best out of them. + Never giving up..."

How have the skaters of Team Unique responded to your coaching style so far? Have you noticed any differences or similarities compared to your previous teams?

"Hard to compare, because the teams are different. And I don’t want to make any comparisons here for many reasons. Marigold as it was until last spring was my creation that I built for years.

I do like the energy I have experienced at the Team Unique practices and how they are willing to experiment right away with any of my ideas though they might be a little different from what they are used to and have done before."

With the short and free programs for Team Unique now ready, could you share a bit about the creative process behind these programs? How much do you want to add your personal touch to these routines? What do you think you can bring? 

"I try to respect their way of doing things, their style. Maybe there is something I can add to make things even better or just a bit different.

The other coaches were in a much bigger role when starting to build the programs because I was working on Ice Infinity programs after the summer break. Maybe my work and contribution can be seen later in the season as I also get used to knowing the team and how they do things better. I feel like it’ll be a little bit of this and that's what I’ll be doing. Teaching some skating skills, element techniques and choreography. Wherever I see I can help the team."

Reflecting on your experience, what are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned throughout your coaching career?

"Never give up, no matter what… Trust the process.

I’m grateful for every single person who has stood by me, helped me and supported me and my work during all these years, especially through the tough times. It’s important to find reliable, loyal people to work with you and those who in every way trust you and support your work. There are many ways you can do this job and coach a team to the top, so it is important to find the right people to support your work—those who trust your way of doing things and also let you do so. There are always ups and downs, but you just have to keep going and always do your best. The reward (whatever it is) will always follow eventually. Sometimes it just takes a bit longer…"

Looking ahead, what are your aspirations for Team Unique this season?

"Give my knowledge and experience to the skaters/team. Eventually, it is always up to them what will happen. Hopefully, I’ll get to see our work pay off."

In your opinion, what is the most rewarding part of coaching, and what keeps you motivated after so many years at the top of the sport? Do you still have the "fire" inside?

"I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t still have the fire burning...

There are many things that I consider that are rewarding in this work, so hard to pick just the most rewarding one. It is still satisfying and rewarding to see the skaters as individuals, but especially as a team to develop; witnessing the learning and growth. Both as skaters but also as athletes (though it is never easy and you experience many growing pains…).

I love how the new programs finally come together and my vision, the choreography starts to really come alive. It is very rewarding and makes me happy when I see the skaters enjoying skating both at practice and at the competitions.

To see that my coaching helps and makes a difference. When I see how skaters are willing and eager to learn from me no matter what age and level. And of course, the joy when they learn something new. This all, the will and the passion though must start and come from the athlete; my role is to help them in any way I can and know. I’ve always been educating myself and been willing to learn something new. If I didn’t there is no way I could have stayed at the top with my teams for so long. This sport and the whole world, our society has changed so much. Not all for the better though."

Finally, how do you balance your roles with both Team Unique and the club Tikkurilan Taitoluisteluklubi?

"My main work is with Tikkurilan Taitoluisteluklubi where I’m in charge of their junior team Ice Infinity, but I also help all our other teams depending on what our daily schedules allow and what they need. Team Unique work and also my occasional visits to Jyväskylä where I help their teams and coaches are built around my work in Tikkurila."

What do you enjoy most about working with different teams and levels of skaters?

"It is very educational to work with different levels of skaters. A great learning experience for me and a chance to give my expertise also to younger and lower-level skaters and other coaches. While giving I also get something."

Next weekend, the first Finnish qualification event will give us the opportunity to see Team Unique and other teams compete.

Stay tuned for the interview with Mirjami Penttinen, the head coach of Team Unique who talks about Anu Oksanen, by clicking here.