On Monday, Eduard Hallberg, 21, has full seams for the top position in Alta Badia’s slalom. Finland’s alpine sensation has received attention from world stars.
Joel Sippola,
Petra Manner,
Nina Old house
A top-notch alpine skier Eduard Hallberg will be able to ski on Monday, the eve of Finnish alpine skiing in remarkable landscapes. The place is Alta Badia, where Kalle Palander celebrated three victories in his career.
Sami Uotila on the other hand, he was responsible for the Finnish alpine men’s first place in the world cup in Alta Badia in December 2001. It also came from the giant slalom.
The difference on Monday is that Hallberg will compete in the slalom. The Finnish alpine sensation of the beginning of the season has been a handsome eighth place this season and reached the second round in all three slalom races.
In addition to the 21-year-old Hallberg, a 23-year-old Finn will compete in Monday’s slalom Jesper Pohjolainenwho recently reached the top three in the European Cup twice.
According to Palanderi, the slope suits young Finns very well.
– Especially Eduard has been really fast on such sections. When he was eighth in Gurgli, he was completely outmatched on both counts at the end.
Pohjolainen and also Hallberg start the slope with slightly later starting numbers. On Sunday, a giant slalom race was held on the slopes and the track was a little worn.
– It’s a bit icier than the rest. I hope it will last, so that even with a bigger start number you can come, Palander says.
Palander’s hard credit
Hallberg himself knows that Alta Badia is a special place for Finnish alpine skiers. At least in the giant slalom.
– I know what he has done here, but it doesn’t go through my head that much. It’s this sweet slope and the kind of classic that’s cool to pull, Hallberg told Urheilu in Italy.
Palander is very confident about Hallberg.
– If he has a ghost day, he will be able to get ten in the group, Palander talks about a realistic goal.
Palander himself did not succeed in Alta Badia’s slalom. He hated the course of that race.
– There is no such easy slope. Even Levi is not that easy. However, that track suits us Finns well. They are extremely fast on that style of track. Once he’s opened that jar, it’s worth using it now while it’s on its way. Now you just have to hit the ground running.
Palander speculated two weeks ago that Hallberg can even win the entire Alta Badia slalom.
– Oh, really. He has already shown this season that he is one of the fastest guys in the world right now.
– Of course there are others out there who want it. Clement Noël (FRA) is really in top condition. I believe that Hallberg will be able to punch through himself.
Attention from the heights
Hallberg has received attention in the alpine circles for his promising performances. In Gurgli, Austria, a German star Felix Neureuther came to say hello.
– I’ve been training a little By Manuel Feller (AUT) and with Lucas Braathe (BRA). They have come to say that the mood is good.
Head coach of the Finnish men’s alpine team Mario Rafetzer is not surprised by Hallberg’s great mood, as he knew how to expect it based on the training season.
– I don’t want to put too much pressure on him. He knows what needs to be done, says the Austrian head coach.
Rafetzeder says that Hallberg’s successes motivate the whole team.
Pohjolainen’s strong performances in the European Cup show that at least Finnish men’s alpine skiing is going in the right direction.
– Hallberg was born in 2003 and Pohjolainen in 2001. They are really young, if you compare for example To Dave Rydingwho is 38 years old. So they can be at the top for a long time, the head coach compares to the British count who celebrated the first victory of his career at the age of 35.