The ski goes, says Hallberg – this is how the Finnish alpine sensation built the top ranking | Sports in a nutshell

Eduard Hallberg, 21, was surprised by his top performance in the World Cup. The young Finn has the potential for even tougher victories this season.

21 years old Eduard Hallberg has come rushing to the alpine skiing world cup. On Sunday, he reached the top spot in the second slalom mc race of his career by finishing eighth in Gurgli’s slalom.

Hallberg is the first Finnish alpinist in almost eight years to make it to the top ten in a World Cup race. Samu Torsti was tenth in January 2017 in the Adelbode giant slalom.

Hallberg reached the same ranking already a week ago in the 1st round of Levi’s mc slalom. Then in the second round, however, he lost his positions and was 24th in the final results.

Hallberg was already surprised by his top draw in Levi. He was also on the same lines after by far the best mc race of his career.

– I didn’t think that I would get into the top ten right away in the second world cup slalom race of my career. It’s hard to understand what happened.

According to Hallberg, the bets were not perfect. He was the fastest in the last sector on both laps, but it was more difficult at the beginning. A similar performance from Hallberg was also seen in Levi, when he built his top ranking with a great final descent.

The conditions were challenging and different from Levi’s.

– However, the ski runs. It’s pretty amazing, says Hallberg.

France won the competition Clement Noel.

Long pipe cut?

The young alpine skier is surprised how quickly and effortlessly he has moved to the World Cup level. Last season, he competed three times at World Cup level in giant slalom.

– When I can keep a cool head and I am capable of my own good performance, then things go well. The tools also work, Hallberg lists the reasons.

Hallberg’s results in two races bode well for the rest of the season. Gurgli’s slalom proved that Levi was not about any single stroke.

More credit comes from the fact that Hallberg’s performances have not been perfect.

– There is still a lot to do. It is positive that the top 10 places come without top bets. You just have to keep training and take it one day at a time.

Hallberg’s performances and potential forcefully bring the idea of ​​a possible podium place already this season. In December, it will be 17 years since the Finnish male alpine skier’s last place on the podium.

Kalle Palander won the Alda Badia slalom competition at that time. Tanja Poutiainen was responsible for the Finnish athletes’ previous podium place in the season 2012–2013.

Hallberg himself does not want to bang his braces, although he has a lot of faith in his own abilities.

– Let’s just continue from now on, so won’t this be good?

Economically important

Hallberg admits that the top 10 place is a tough show also from a financial point of view. Alpine skiing is not a cheap sport.

– Yes, it is a plus. This is not a free thing, so this is a big deal in that sense as well.

The alpine skiing World Cup season continues next in the United States. In Killington and Beaver Creek, however, Hallberg is not involved.

He will compete next in Central Europe for the European Cup. The Finn will probably compete in the World Cup next time in mid-December in Val d’Isère, France.