PLANICA. Eveliina Piippo expected a lot from himself from the 10 km freestyle skiing race. He dreamed of placing in the top ten and at the beginning everything looked good. In the last stretch of just over two kilometers, Piippo fell from 9th place to 16th place, and the gap grew from just under 44 seconds to more than a minute and 14 seconds.
Disappointment shone on Piipo’s face after the race, when he walked through the media interview area. He admitted that nothing special happened at the end. He was just too tired too soon.
– I had the feeling that everything was under control. But if I had to start over, I would start a little more cautiously, he admitted.
– During the last kilometers, there was only lactic acid in both legs and my head was completely empty.
Piippo, 24, finished 15th in the combined competition. The ranking was the best result of his career in an adult competition, even though he fell in the traditional section. Piippo stated that joint departures are not among his favorites, and especially the traditional one has been an uncertain technique for him recently.
– I was able to leave much more relaxed anyway, because I know how to ski freely. But I haven’t been pressured here, Piippo, who won silver four years ago at the World Youth Championships in Lahti on the same trip, smiled.
He admitted that a good opening race raised expectations and increased hunger for the tenth race. 16th place doesn’t taste like much at the moment, but with time the situation can change.
– Finally, when I look back on the season sometime in the spring, I can be a little more satisfied with myself. Somehow it’s sad now because all the elements were on my side, down to the circumstances. I had faith in a much tougher result than I could give.
Piippo has progressed in Planica one race at a time, but the biggest challenge was just in the 10 km race. Next, he transfers his thoughts to the message, because if the call comes, he is ready to fight. The women’s final race, 30 kilometers, also interests her, even though it is skied as a joint start and in a traditional skiing style.
– Yes, I would like to, Piippo assured.
Back to the world’s top level
Eveliina Piippo has been considered the name of the future of Finnish skiing for years. Among other things, currently working as the top sports representative of the Olympic Committee Toni Roponen once told Urheilu that he considers Piippo to be one of the most talented athletes he has ever met in terms of endurance.
Read more: The extremely talented Eveliina Piippo is a nightmare for her coaches – the self-willed skier is now trying to break an “addiction” that can prevent her from climbing to the top
Two years ago in January, Piipo’s season was interrupted by back surgery. He returned to the race tracks the following season in November and made it back to the World Cup that spring. At the moment, everything is fine, although Piipo thinks his condition could be even better.
The journey back to the national team and the prestigious competitions has been behind hard work. Despite this, Piippo is not satisfied with the lukewarm results.
The reactions in the interview area tell about Piipo’s character and level of demands towards himself.
Women’s responsibility coach Jussi Piirainen According to Piippo, however, he showed in the 10th race that he can ski the uphills at high speed and increased his ranking precisely on these sections.
– Eve has risen back to the world’s top level. He has clearly shown it in two races already. He has an iron physique and is a fighter by nature, able to keep himself in a tight spot, Piirainen estimates.
Sports expert Aino-Kaisa Saarinen reminded that strong uphills and a steady, deadly pace are not enough, but you also have to be able to push on the downhills.
– Eve knows how to ski sustainably, but there is still room for improvement in pole skating and skiing corners at high speed, Saarinen estimates.
In his opinion, Piipo has enough potential for even tougher results. Piipo Planica’s results have surprised Saarinen, but now he expects the next step forward.
– Now he should gain more speed, quite concretely, so that he could rise to the next level. You won’t be able to do it with just smudging.
In Saarinen’s opinion, it is also very important that Piipo has enough help around him, especially when difficulties come as a surprise.
– That he won’t accidentally be left alone when that weak moment comes, Saarinen said.