Maikki Uotila Explained

Maikki Uotila
Also Known As:Kraatz
Country:Finland
Birth Date:25 February 1977
Birth Place:Espoo, Finland
Partner:Toni Mattila, Michel Bigras
Coach:Arja Wuorivirta, Martin Skotnicky
Choreographer:Shanti Ruchpaul
Skating Club:HSK Helsinki
Retired: 1998

Maikki Uotila-Kraatz (born 25 February 1977) is a Finnish former ice dancer. With Toni Mattila, she is the 1997 Finnish national champion and competed in the final segment at the 1996 European Championships.

Personal life

Uotila was born on 25 February 1977 in Espoo, Finland. She received a Bachelor of Arts in dance from Sarah Lawrence College in New York. In 2004, she settled in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. She married Victor Kraatz on June 19, 2004. They have two sons – Oliver (born September 14, 2006) and Henry (born July 10, 2010).

Career

Competitive

Uotila competed as a single skater until 1994, winning the junior silver medal at the 1992 Nordic Championships. In 1994, she switched to ice dancing, teaming up Toni Mattila. They competed in the free dance at the 1996 European Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, finishing 23rd. They also appeared at the 1996 World Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, but were eliminated after the compulsory dances.

After two silver medals, Uotila/Mattila won the Finnish national title in the 1996–1997 season. They placed 26th at the 1997 European Championships in Paris, France. They were coached by Arja Wuorivirta and Martin Skotnicky. They ended their partnership in 1997 after three seasons together.

Uotila competed with Michel Bigras in the 1997–1998 season.

Post-competitive

Uotila coaches ice dancing at the BC Centre of Excellence. She has also worked as a dance instructor at the Shadbolt Centre for the Arts in Burnaby.

Programs

(with Mattila)

Competitive highlights

Ice dancing with Mattila

International
Event1994–951995–961996–97
align=left 31st
align=left 23rd 26th
align=left 11th
align=left bgcolor=gold 1st
align=left 12th
align=left 14th
align=left 12th 6th
align=left 12th
National
align=left bgcolor=silver 2nd bgcolor=silver 2nd bgcolor=gold 1st

Ladies' singles

International
Event1991–921992–931993–94
align=left 15th
align=left bgcolor=silver 2nd J 6th J 6th J
J = Junior level

External links