Finnish alpine skiing comet Elijah has experienced a setback just before the World Cup. Lehto has been ill in recent days.
Lehdo’s coach Eero Blomqvist describes illness as a small bend on the way. He admits that rhinitis is certainly not the best possible departure for the World Cup in Saalbach in Austria.
– It hasn’t worked hard, but it has had to be taken lighter and rested. However, these are such things of the last few days. It is more important to be mentally in the area. Yes, that body comes with me as long as the man recovers, Blomqvist says.
Blomqvist is confident because Lehto said he was well -off after Wednesday’s exercise.
Finland’s top name circles the World Cup with the Swiss national team. According to Blomqvist, there have been illnesses in Lehdo’s group since the Wengen World Cup in mid -January.
Lehdo’s season has gone, quoting Blomqvist, “bumpy.” A season opening at Beaver Creek was missed due to illness and back problems.
Lehto quickly returned to the slope, but the results have not followed. The 16th place in the Bormio World Cup is the best thing about the season.
Last season, Lehto at his best was alarmed by tens of cars, and twice in Kitzbühel. For this season, he went to get the investments at the top of the ten.
Lehto admits directly the fact that this season has not gone according to the goals.
– It has been really good and much better counting than last year. This season, the competition has also been very tighter than last year. Small errors at certain points have cost 5 to 10 investments, Lehto estimates.
Blomqvist also emphasizes that the duo has developed.
– The torturing side is that that is not realized in the results. Of course, our nuance is not interested in anyone, but the results are of interest. Of course they are also interested in us. Still, significant things have happened in the longer timeline, Blomqvist says.
Ferocious medal target in mind
The duo’s mind has tough goals for the World Cup. Two years ago, Lehto was 25th in the World Championships. Then he downloaded a tremendous goal to be in the next World Cup on the podium. Coach Blomqvist has now reminded Lehdo’s speeches as he set his goals for his protection for the World Cup on Sunday.
-He promised himself a medal at the last World Cup. That goal is not tougher. Let’s see how much small wells have affected the impact on preparation. I don’t see that they should have a huge impact. As long as the man is completely healthy on the day of the race, everything is definitely open, Blomqvist describes.
Finland has achieved five World Championship medals in alpine skiing and only in technology. Tanja Poutiainen In 2005, he took the World Championship silver in both grand slalom and slalom. In 2009, Poutiainen received World Cup bronze from the same sports. Kalle Palander Won the World Cup gold in 1999 in slalom.
Still, according to the coach, the primary goal for Lehdo is to be among the top 15 in a plunge. It serves the World Cup goals, as the World Cup will give the start team points to the World Cup.
During this World Cup season, men’s downhill fall has been under the control of the Swiss. In four of the five races, the victory has gone to Switzerland and three different athletes. Four different Swiss people have been on the podium. Lehto says that teammates’ grip is shouted for him.
– I’ve been training with them and so to speak, I am the same level with them, Lehto describes.
Now Lehto is looking for intact performance in the World Cup. He feels that in this season, the individual sections have gone well in the race invoices, but there has not been a good full bet.
Lehto describes Saalbach’s speed slope as slow and really easy, but as a result, many skiers offer success.
– The level is tough. Indeed, many people can survive, says Lehto.
Finland’s wish to Switzerland
Lehto is now with the Swiss national team for the third time. CEO of Ski Sport Finland, the Finnish Alpine Skiing Organization Janne Leskinen says that the Swiss Association has been discussed for next season. The upcoming season is particularly important as the Olympics in Bormio are coming.
According to Leskinen, the discussion with Switzerland was discussed next fall camp program. Prior to this, Lehto and the second group of Switzerland were camping on Swiss glaciers, but the number one group practiced in the farms. Next season, Finland wants Lehto to be able to train for better conditions for South American glaciers.
According to Leskinen, Finns are aiming that Lehdo’s next season’s patterns would be clear at the end of the World Cup at the end of March.
According to the species boss, everything suggests that Lehdo has a good chance of continuing with Switzerland. According to Leskinen, the reception to Finland’s wish has been good.
“The assumption is that a continuation with Switzerland could be followed,” Leskinen says.
Next year’s Olympics will also have an interesting connection at this year’s World Cup. New to the World Cup will be team combined at the upcoming Olympics. There, one athlete competes in the plunge and the other in slalom. The number one team in Finland is Lehto and this season has a couple of World Cup slalom competitions Eduard Hallberg.
-The number one team, if successful, will be one of the next challengers after the Top3 countries, Leskinen estimates Wednesday’s Wednesday.