Susanna Rahkamo

Susanna Rahkamo (born 25 February 1965) is a Finnish former competitive ice dancer. She competed with Petri Kokko, her future husband. With Kokko, she is the 1995 European champion, 1995 World silver medalist, and competed in the Winter Olympics twice.

Susanna Rahkamo
Rahkamo in 2011
Personal information
Country representedFinland
Born (1965-02-25) 25 February 1965
Helsinki, Finland
Height1.60 m (5 ft 3 in)
PartnerPetri Kokko
CoachMartin Skotnický
ChoreographerJorma Uotinen
Skating clubHelsingfors Skridskoklubb
Retired1995
Medal record
Figure skating: Ice dancing
Representing  Finland
World Championships
1995 BirminghamIce dancing
1994 ChibaIce dancing
European Championships
1995 DortmundIce dancing
1993 HelsinkiIce dancing

Skating career

Rahkamo/Kokko formed their partnership in 1985 and moved to Oberstdorf, Germany to train with Martin Skotnický.[1] Their first major international event was the 1986 European Championships, where they finished 18th. In 1990, they reached the top ten at the European and World Championships for the first time.

In the 1991–92 season, Rahkamo/Kokko won the silver medal at the 1991 Skate America and placed sixth at the 1992 Winter Olympics. The following season, they won gold at the 1992 Skate Canada International and bronze at the 1993 European Championships. They were fourth at the 1993 World Championships.

In 1993–94, Rahkamo/Kokko stood atop the podium at Piruetten. They placed fourth at the 1994 European Championships and at the 1994 Winter Olympics. They ended their season with a bronze medal at the 1994 World Championships.

At the 1995 European Championships, Rahkamo/Kokko became Finland's first European champions in figure skating — their country's next European title came in 2009 when Laura Lepistö won the ladies' singles event.[2] They went on to win the silver medal at the 1995 World Championships. Their quickstep original dance from the 1994–95 season was adapted into a compulsory dance/pattern dance.[3][4] It was ratified in June 2008 as the Finnstep.[5][6]

Rahkamo/Kokko turned professional in 1995 and performed in ice shows until 2000.[7][8] They made an appearance on Enigma's music video for Beyond the Invisible.

Later life

Rahkamo and Kokko married in 1995 and have two children, Max born in 2001 and Camilla in 2003.[8][9] Rahkamo has a master's degree from Helsinki University, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry and a Ph.D (Tech) from the Aalto University [7] She works as a leadership consultant.[9] Rahkamo was elected president of the Finnish Figure Skating Association in 2004[10] and vice-president of the Finnish national Olympic committee in November 2012.[11]

Programs

(with Kokko)

Season Original set pattern
/ Original dance		 Free dance Exhibition
1994–95
  • The Psalm
    (12th century church music)
1993–94
  • Rhumba: Taboo
1992–93
1991–92
1990–91
  • Blues
    1989–90
    • Samba
      • Primavera Porteña
        by Ástor Piazzolla

      Results

      (with Kokko)

      International
      Event 85–86 86–87 87–88 88–89 89–90 90–91 91–92 92–93 93–94 94–95
      Olympics6th4th
      Worlds20th20th13th6th7th5th4th3rd2nd
      Europeans18th18th15th12th7th8th6th3rd4th1st
      Skate America2nd
      Skate Canada1st
      Int. de Paris3rd
      Golden Spin6th
      Moscow News14th
      Piruetten1st
      National
      Finnish Champ.1st1st1st1st1st1st

      References
      1. Saarikoski, Saska (5 January 2013). "Susanna Rahkamo ja Petri Kokko palasivat jäälle" [Susanna Rahkamo and Petri Kokko returned to the ice]. Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish).
      2. "Laura Lepistö wins European title in front of ecstatic home audience". Helsingin Sanomat. 26 January 2009. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
      3. "Finnstep". ice-dance.com. Archived from the original on 2012-10-28.
      4. Elfman, Lois (23 January 2014). "Who framed the Finnstep? Rahkamo and Kokko". IceNetwork.
      5. "Decisions made at 52nd ISU Ordinary Congress". International Skating Union. IceNetwork.com. 20 June 2008. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
      6. Rutherford, Lynn (5 May 2008). "ISU adds more creativity, new compulsory". IceNetwork.com. Retrieved 30 July 2011.
      7. Kajas, Mila; Salmi, Anna (19 October 2008). "What's new Susanna and Petri". Finnish Figure Skating Association. Archived from the original on 5 December 2008.
      8. Krank, Arja (11 December 2009). "An easy-going boss near you". telma-lehti.fi. Archived from the original on 18 March 2014.
      9. Elfman, Lois (18 September 2008). "Susanna Rahkamo is still an innovator". IceNetwork.
      10. "Finland considers applying to host this spring's World Figure Skating Championships". Helsingin Sanomat. 22 March 2011. Retrieved 29 March 2011.
      11. Parkkinen, Jaakko (21 November 2012). "Varapuheenjohtajaksi valittu Rahkamo: Jos saamme nenät samaan suuntaan, alkaa syntyä". yle.fi (in Finnish).
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