It is only the second time that Ilkka Herola reaches consecutive podium places in the combined World Cup.
Ilkka Herola continued his great performances when the combined World Cup season continued after the long Christmas break. Herola was third in Schonach and achieved his second consecutive podium finish. Before Christmas, Herola finished second in Ramsau.
It is only the second time for Herola that he has reached two consecutive podium places in the World Cup. The 29-year-old Finn last reached consecutive individual prize places four years ago in Seefeld.
At that time, he was third on Saturday and second on Sunday.
Herola had a great setup after the hill in Schonach, when he was able to start with other hard skiers on the track. The Finn was in the big main group, which was already in the race for the prize in the opening kilometers.
Norway wearing the yellow World Cup leader’s vest Jarl Magnus Riiber ampaisi entered the track after the hill section in the lead, but the Norwegian had a hard time on the ski section.
A large main group caught him after eight kilometers. Sick Riiber crashed badly at the end and froze to sixth.
Riiber’s countryman wrote to victory Jens Lurås Oftebro before Austria Johannes Lamparteria.
Herola was eight seconds behind them. Returned to the World Cup Eero Hirvonen skied great and came in 15th place.
Herola was second fastest in cross-country skiing.
The World Cup medal comes off with great consistency
Sports expert Petter Kukkonen is pleased with the evenness of Herola. It bodes well for the World Cup in Trondheim this winter.
Kukkonen reminds that success in value races needs support from several podium places from previous races.
– It’s ironic that if you’ve been close to the podium once, you’d be fighting for success in prestigious competitions. Consistency matters.
– You have to be in such shape that you are in the top ropes week after week and not only occasionally have good rankings. Herola is clearly on that path at the moment.
Kukkonen says that the next World Cup races suit Herola well. For example, in Seefeld there is a normal hill race.
Four years ago, Herola won the World Championship silver just from the normalmäki race.
– There are small hills that suit Finns well. The World Cup in Trondheim will also start with a small hill race, Kukkonen stated.
Updated article with Kukkonen’s comments at 15.44.