The just ended skiing World Cup season was good for Finns, if you look at the statistics. Although the Finns were not among the top 15 in the overall cup this season, five Finns finished in the top 15 in different cups. It means a financial helping hand for the Ski Federation, as the International Ski Federation will pay the travel expenses of these five skiers next season.
The Finnish team took five victories during the season. Of these Kerttu Niskanen recorded three, Perttu Hyvärinen one and Krista Pärmäkoski one. In addition to this, the Finnish team got 17 places in the top three. The last time it was this strong was in the 2016–17 season, when we also invested in the World Championships in Lahti.
The Finnish team also found breadth, as it got six different skiers to the prize positions. The last time this happened was in the 2008–09 season.
– Two men stood out in the sprint, Lauri Vuorinen and Joni Mäki. Among the women, Kerttu Niskanen, Krista Pärmäkoski and Johanna Matintalo. The women’s season was not smooth, but there were several top skiers, Urheilu’s expert Aino-Kaisa Saarinen says.
Saarinen would like to see more equality in both men and women. Part of the change was due to illness, but that cannot explain everything.
– The fact is, however, that it’s easier for those who are in good shape to succeed in value competitions as well. Sudden shooting stars are rarely seen in value competitions. Usually Menestyjnen are those who are also high in the cup, Saarinen reminds.
You have to be able to raise the level
Although Finland has a tough trio for women’s normal trips, there is a big gap behind the top. However, in Saarinen’s opinion, there is light at the end of the tunnel, because the team has world-class role models.
– Hopefully, the national team will now get the money from somewhere and the team will get a proper camp, so that the athletes can train together. Then those behind the tip will be able to see where the tip of the world is going. That’s our straw card.
In the women’s sprint Jasmi Joensuu has established its level, especially in the qualifiers, to the top, but development is still required in event skiing. There are many young skiers on the sprint side, but Saarinen still needs a change of rhythm for them.
– A few have been in the semi-finals from time to time, but that’s not enough anymore. There are young skiers who have many good years ahead of them, but you still have to think about change. You should be able to raise the level.
On the men’s side, Perttu Hyvärinen became one of the winners this season, but there is a lot of volatility in his results. Above all, Saarinen is happy that Lauri Vuorinen and Joni Mäe have raised their level even on normal trips.
– It means that their endurance characteristics have improved. When they reach the finals, they are better able to fight for prizes.
Saarinen also thinks it is good that the team has two strong sprinters. At that time, the exercises become harder, and others also benefit from them
The fang of Finnish men’s skiing Iivo Niskanen skied three times during the season in an individual race for prizes, but each time the result was second place. In Saarinen’s opinion, Niskanen didn’t get into “Iivo-like absolute condition”, and in his opinion, that was also reflected in Niskanen’s furniture problems.
– When you are not in absolutely good shape, even choosing a ski becomes more difficult. Then you make mistakes more easily. When you’re in good shape, you can quickly sense whether it’s good or bad. Then you can also estimate how much grip you need, for example. I believe that even these problems will disappear when Iivo gets back in absolute shape.
There is an inch break in part of the front
The performances of the Finnish skiers in the weekends at the end of the World Cup season left a positive memory. The last games included victories, double victories, prize places and many other successes. Because of that, it is easy to forget that the opening of the season in Ruka was not as strong as expected.
In Saarinen’s opinion, the Finnish team’s performances in Ruka have been sticky for several years, apart from individual successes.
– Many times those who are successful in Ruka are also successful in prestigious competitions. It’s a traditional pattern that repeats itself. Attention should be paid to this, says Saarinen.
In his opinion, the Finnish team should invest more in Ruka, and also after that choose carefully the competitions in which they will ski.
– Let’s invest in training and then we’ll be at the World Championships in Trondheim, says Saarinen.
In Saarinen’s opinion, many skiers should sit down and take an inch break now that spring is coming and the season is over.
– It’s worth thinking about what are the change points that should be changed in training. After that, you should look for the right people to help. It is really important that you stop doing it yourself and think about your own areas of development and find solutions for them. You also have to find the courage to do things in a new way, Saarinen reminds.