Kerttu Niskanen got to celebrate the victory of the normal distance Cup in front of the home crowd.
Roope Visuri,
Aino Perttilä,
Riikka Smolander-Slotte
BAY. Finnish skiing fans still got to celebrate on Sunday afternoon, when Kerttu Niskanen received a crystal ball for winning the normal distance Cup.
Haloo Helsingin’s Texas song started playing when Niskanen was announced as the winner on the stage of the ski stadium in Lahti. In accordance with the words of the song, Niskanen really put the wind in the air, as the Finn celebrated wildly with a crystal ball in his hand.
After that, the Maamme song was heard in honor of Niskanen’s victory. Niskanen is the third Finnish winner of the standard distance Cup. Virpi Sarasvuo (nee Kuitunen) won the Cup twice in a row in the 2006–2008 seasons. Iivo Niskanen celebrated the victory of the normal journeys Cup and the third place of the World Cup last season.
Kerttu and Iivo Niskanen’s father Eero was also there to watch the award ceremony.
– It was absolutely wonderful. This has been waited for ten years. It feels great, Eero Niskanen said to Urheilu with fresh emotion.
Niskanen was also third in the overall cup. The second place would also have come, if he had not been rejected earlier in March in the Drammen sprint. Niskanen was originally 13th, but after a protest by Italy, the Finn dropped to 30th.
Niskanen lost 34 points when the break finally came to Jessie Diggins 27 points.
– He gets stuck in his teeth for a while and sneers in the direction of the Italians, but what can he do. Rules are rules, Eero Niskanen told Urheilu.
Kerttu Niskanen himself stated after the award ceremony that he considers winning the normal journeys Cup a wonderful achievement.
– For this, you have to succeed throughout the season. Has never suffered from illness. You have to be able to be in the fight all the time, Niskanen said.
Niskanen said that he was nervous until the end that he would stay healthy.
– I had to be extremely careful, precise and in some way selfish. I have had to be in contact with family and friends a lot by phone, Niskanen said.