“The same pattern has been repeated many times”

Ilkka Herola did not catch the top three in Schonach. He is frustrated by his own skiing speed.

Ilkka Herola achieved his second best World Cup finish of the season when he was fourth in Schonach. Herola was 11.3 seconds away from his second podium finish of the season.

The Finn spread his arms at the finish line after ten kilometers of skiing.

– This time it was left in the tooth. This same formula has been repeated in many races in a row, Herola told Urheilu by phone.

Herola started the skiing section in seventh place after a great jump. He left the number one name in Japan Ryota Yamamoto just 35 seconds behind on the track. However, it became clear on the track that the leading group was too far ahead. Norwegian Jens Lurås OftebroAustria Johannes Lamparter and Estonia Kristjan Ilves stood out from the rest.

In the end, Herola had to fight the trio alone, but couldn’t catch Ilve, who froze at the end. Oftebro, who won the competition, was able to ski 13 seconds before Herola. In the end, those seconds turned out to be decisive in terms of the battle for the podium.

– I could ski the whole way alone. It’s a really big job to catch the tip, says Herola.

Herola, who was one of the best skiers in the tour, also admits that now the pace on the track is not at its best.

– It can be a bit frustrating, Herola says.

Herola blasted 99 meters from the HS100 hill in Schonach on Saturday.

– The level of jumping is pleasing. I can be close to the top with basic performance. But the performance is still not quite up to par, Herola describes her situation.

Sunday is the last World Cup race in Schonach before the World Cup in Planica at the turn of February-March. Herola goes to Planica as the defending World Cup silver medalist in the normal hill race. Despite the lack of skiing speed, the Finn is in a positive mood towards the World Championships.

– The level of jumping is such that it is nice to go to the games with it. Now there will also be a small training break at home before Planica. It will certainly do good, Herola stated.