Mika Poutala

Mika Poutala ( born June 20, 1983 in Helsinki) is a Finnish speed skater, who began his career as an all-rounder and now runs primarily on the short routes.

Mika Poutala made ​​his World Cup debut in March 2002 in Inzell. It took more than three years before the Finn at the same place in December 2005 for the first time in the world's top run (5th place about 500 meters). The day after this success, he was able to celebrate his first World Cup victory in the 100 meters. The 100m should also be on his parade route, where he was able to achieve all of its current three podiums. In the overall World Cup via this route he took in the 2005/06 season behind Yuya Oikawa second place.

Poutala started about 1000 meters ( 26 ) and 500 meters ( 22 ) at the 2006 Olympics in Turin. Since 2003 he has participated in several World and European championships in the sprint and on individual routes. So far, he never reached there a place in the top 10, his best finish was a 13th place over 500 meters at the single distance world championships 2005 in Inzell. At the Olympic Winter Games 2010 in Vancouver Poutala reached a good 5th place in the 500m competition.

Eight times Poutala could achieve so far Finnish championship titles, nine times runner-up and third five times.

Essent ISU World Cup rankings

(As of February 4, 2007)