Krista Pärmäkoski had long thought of ending her career this season, but it was different. Pärmäkoski found a solution for the lively winter and the retirement of the toughest competitor.
ROVANIEMI. Although Krista Pärmäkoski is only 31 years old, as an endurance athlete actually at his best age, has revolved around a lot of questions about continuing his career as a skier. Now they were answered.
– I’m determined to continue. Sure, it’s been spinning for quite some time, but the decision has already come during the winter. It has not been done in recent weeks, Pärmäkoski tells Urheilu.
Pärmäkoski joined the national team at a young age and captured his first World Cup points at the age of 18, which is a young age for Finnish skiers to reach the top. Pärmäkoski’s first championships were the Liberec World Championships in 2009. Two years later, the youth world champion already won the World Championships medal for adults in Oslo.
– I have been touring the world for many years. lots of traveling in and out of the home. However, I am a home-based person and it is not always easy to go on a trip. When it’s okay, being on a trip is nice and when it’s not, it’s a little harder.
Many of Pärmäkoski’s sponsorship agreements were suspended for this season, but when the partners also decided to continue, the decision was easier for the skier.
The five-time Olympic and seven-time World Championship medalist is still missing the value race. For years, almost completely overwhelmed Norway Therese Johaugin the termination affected Pärmäkoski’s thoughts.
– Ten years ago, I decided that my career would end in 2022. When I decided on something, I thought they should be kept. Now, achieving a gold medal seems like a more realistic opportunity.
– On the other hand, if the previous period had been lived now, the decision could have been different. I’ve been clearly more refreshed this season. It has been fun to practice and compete, Pärmäkoski emphasizes.
The Beijing Olympics were skied high in February. Next year, the Planica World Championships, on the other hand, will be closer to sea level. The main goal of Pärmäkoski will remain on normal trips, but improving the sprint speed is probably in the program.
– We haven’t talked to Mati yet, but of course we’ll continue if Matti wants to continue, Pärmäkoski laughs widely and refers to his coach Matti Haavisto.
– Even at low sprint speeds. It may affect your training.
Despite numerous travel days, support for Pärmäkoski’s decision also comes from home. Although Pärmäkoski had already decided to quit top sports after this season, it was easy for him to say that he was just not ready yet.
– I wasn’t ready to quit yet. There is still enough hunger. There was a goal for this season too to win that Olympic gold, but there is another opportunity next season.
Pärmäkoski withdrew from the 30 kilometers of Finnish Championships on Sunday because he got a fever on Saturday night.
will be showing the 30th kilometers of the Women’s Ski Championships on Sunday from 10 a.m. on Sunday. The men’s 50 kilometers are on the program at 1:15 p.m. See shipping information here.