Mika Venäläinen describes the lubrication manager’s job as a survival process.
Joel Sippola,
Riku Salminen
17.3. 18:04•Updated 17.3. 18:07
Worked as lubrication manager of the Finnish national ski team for two years Mika Venäläinen will leave the national team after this season. This has been known since the World Championships in Planica.
– Yes, I’m giving up, he confirms to Urheilu.
The Russian says that from the beginning he wanted to be the lubrication manager for a maximum of two years.
– Two years was my maximum goal. This matter has been discussed after Lahti, Venäläinen refers to the Salpausselkä weekend that ends the World Cup season next week.
The Russian has remembered, among other things, the successful Beijing Olympics. The national skiing team won one Olympic gold and no less than six medals in those games.
– Last year was a very good year overall. This year, illnesses have messed up the athletes’ preparations for the games. This season left a slightly worse taste.
Email messages
The Russian says that the current season has been associated with stress. Feedback has been received.
– Last year, there weren’t a lot of e-mails. Now it has come.
Venäläinen has worked as an ordinary maintenance man for more than 20 years. He has become known for, among other things Iivo Niskanen as a credit guardian.
The Russian admits that there is longing in the air. He has not regretted his decision to take the windy pesti.
– After a lot of thinking and a few crying nights, I dared to go for this job. It was a feather in his cap.
The name of the Russian successor is not yet known.
– It’s always a survival process. We work for the athletes and work together with maintenance. Synergy should be reasonably good.
– I’m asking about caring for people. Every day we try to be better than the other. Don’t do bad things on purpose. If someone has a picture like that, you can come and try it.