Both Joni Mäki and Iivo Niskanen were hit by Perttu Hyvärinen’s prank – the expert would drop Mäki from the World Championship relay team

Toblach’s men’s relay offered both a positive and a negative signal from the Finnish team. Iivo Niskanen and Perttu Hyvärinen skied basic reliable performances, in the opening section Markus Vuorela was strongly positive, but an anchor Joni Mäki minus sign.

– I would have hoped for a better general for the anchor section from Joni Mäki. It was a relatively easy track and slippery weather. You should have kept your cool, Urheilu’s expert Ville Nousiainen stated in the Sports Studio.

Mäki admitted that the trip was difficult for him and that his jacket was already quite empty. He said he would like the role of an anchor if he is okay.

– It would be nicer if you could ski lighter in the hose, but this season the normal trips have not gone that way. You have to be red all the time, Mäki stated.

Nousiainen would not choose Joni Mäke in his relay four at the moment, but they would ski in it Cross mat HakolaIivo Niskanen, Remi Lindholm and Perttu Hyvärinen as anchor.

According to Nousiainen, Vuorela gave the right screen for the message on Sunday. If Hakola is not in skiing condition, Vuorela is a good substitute. According to Vuorela, he currently has a stronger faith in the traditional way of skiing, so that’s why the opening section would suit him.

– However, I must remember that Ristomatti was clearly better than Markus in the traditional race last weekend, Nousiainen reminded.

Joni Mäki has often been the anchor of the Finnish team, but Nousiainen had a clear reason for dropping Mäki:

– Planica has a heavier track and a longer distance than today. That anchor part is more Pertu’s place than Joni’s.

However, Nousiainen does not completely exclude Joni Mäki from the relay, because there is still time for the Planica Games and Mäki has been able to rise to the top before after a difficult early season. This is what he did last year, for example, and the result was silver in the pair sprint and fourth place in the sprint at the Olympics.

– Joni can and will do it. Not everyone has the capacity that Jon has to do things on the track. But years are not brothers. He gets to do quite a lot of magic this year. On the other hand, if you’ve done it once, why not do it again.

“Yes, I was a bit disappointed with Iivo”

The Finnish relay duo from Savoia, Iivo Niskanen – Perttu Hyvärinen, were in a good mood after the relay race. Niskanen, who skied the second stage, joked that Hyvärinen had waited disappointedly in the transition area when, despite his promises, he was not able to drop France Hugo Lapalus from their heels.

– Yes, I was a bit disappointed with Iivo. At Savo, it is usually our custom that when something is said, it is kept. But he didn’t give a damn about this race, Hyvärinen said tongue in cheek.

– Yes, Iivok seems to be doing well too. He’ll hide it for a little while longer, so he won’t take pressure.

In Hyvärinen’s opinion, Finland always has its own challenge to get four men in shape at once. He also knows how to get Joni Mäki in shape.

– I think that Joni has a bit of a juma-like job at the moment. The beard is a bit too long. If you left a mustache, you would definitely go. And a couple of team boosts, and we’ll be fine. A bad general is always a good thing, Hyvärinen calculated.

Niskanen’s condition has mostly been a mystery this season, because after contracting corona, he injured his leg after falling in the Les Rousses race.

– I didn’t really need my legs today. Time went by in a hurry when the weather was so brisk, but it felt really good. It was a moderate bet, however, Niskanen stated and assured that he was calm about his situation.

His goal is to gradually get in shape and find relaxation and sharpness in his skiing.

– There is no such panic at any point here. Of course, there’s still time, but a month until the main race, so that’s definitely enough.

Planica’s World Championships in Nordic skiing will take place from February 22 to March 5. The races are shown on channels.