In the finished cross-country world cup season, a familiar topic was discussed again, i.e. Norway’s dominance. The glory of Vuonomaa has been emphasized even more when Russia has been closed from international sports.
On the best day, Norway has had the opportunity to grab all ten top places, as was seen in the men’s race at Holmenkollen 50 km.
Norway’s dominance has also raised the question of whether the sports’ quota of athletes for the World Cup should be limited.
The question of Norway’s restriction got ‘s expert Kalle Lassilan to boil in the Sports Studio.
– Norway’s dominance is a problem, but this discussion is completely irrelevant. There should be more discussion about how to give small countries more opportunities to produce harder skiers. In that, the FIS (International Ski Federation) and the sport have failed miserably. Lassila insisted.
Another ski expert Ville Nousiainen according to which the restriction of Norwegians’ competition is artificial.
– It’s a bit silly if we want the world’s best to compete together, Nousiainen stated.
Nousiainen would like to see Norway’s toughest challengers cooperate more.
– Finland, Sweden and France must also cooperate and get the team closer to Norway’s level.
On the women’s side, Norway’s good practices speak for themselves. Norway had to collapse Therese Johaugin after quitting, but it was different. Tiril Udnes Weng took the overall win.
Weng took quite a leap forward. He was on the podium ten times this season, while before this season there was only one podium place. Astrid Öyre Slind on the other hand, debuted at the age of 35 at the World Championships and took bronze in the combined competition.
– The Norwegian coaches themselves have been worried for years about what will happen after Johaug is finished. However, now they have been able to produce more experienced skiers to the sharpest tip, Lassila said.
However, on the women’s side, Sweden was even tougher than Norway.
– They have a strong sprint team and two strong standard distance skiers Ebba Andersson mixed Frida Karlsson. Normal-distance skiers and sprint skiers can also cross-country ski and get good results, says Lassila.
According to the experts, there are not many threats to the dominance of the Swedes, because more and more young promises are coming to the top of the international ranks.
– Sweden has a really strong team culture. It doesn’t mean that we are always stuck on the heel of the other ski, but control of the whole, Lassila praises.
However, it has remained a mystery why Swedish men are much weaker than women.
– If they knew the reasons for women’s goodness, they would have a better men’s team. They also don’t have an exact recipe for how to produce skiers from 10-year-olds to 20-year-old stars, Nousiainen estimates.
“Finnish cross-country skiing cannot withstand the termination of Krista Pärmäkoski”
A 12-time prize medalist has spoken in Finland Krista Pärmäkoski situation. The 32-year-old Pärmäkoski has openly said that he is considering the continuation of his career. However, the Finn last said on Sunday that he does not know if his career will continue into next season.
According to Ville Nousiainen, ending Pärmäkoski would have drastic consequences for Finnish cross-country skiing.
– Finnish cross-country skiing can’t stand it if Krista quits. Krista is vital in our team. She is Kerttu Niskanen along with the number one leader. I hope Krista doesn’t quit, Nousiainen stated.
Pärmäkoski had a lot of bad luck in the season that ended. At the beginning of the year, Pärmäkoski was at his peak at the Tour de Ski, until he got a stomach bug. After the World Championships in Planica, the corona struck.
It is possible that Korona also influenced the result in the final distance of the World Championships in the 30 km traditional skiing joint start competition. Before the World Cup in Salpausselkä, there was still sad news to deal with, when Pärmäkoski’s dog Carla passed away.
– It has been seen that the World Cup seasons are really really tight. Everyone is really broken, the athletes, the coaches and the maintenance. The decision to continue is not easy. The athlete must do it strictly and must be motivated. Continuing your career requires an incredible investment in the training season, Lassila illustrates.
The brightest Finnish thing was the long-awaited World Cup relay silver from last season. However, individual skiers stood out Kerttu Niskanen. The Finn was able to celebrate the victory of the normal distance Cup in front of the home crowd at the Salpausselkä World Cup.
– I really value the winners of the standard distance cup, sprint cup and overall cup. They tell about the whole level. There are fewer of these winners than prize competition winners, Nousiainen smokes.
– It should also be noted that Kerttu wanted to win the normal distance Cup. If you want to win someone and be the best in the world, you have to invest in it. It was perhaps a little visible in the World Cup, but we have no right to criticize whether it was the right goal, Lassila continued.