The coach of the Finnish women’s team, Juho Halonen, did not want to comment on Kerttu Niskanen’s absence from the WC pair sprint. Ville Nousiainen understood why Niskanen might have wanted to skip the race.
Roope Visuri,
Laura Arffman,
Riku Salminen
26.2. 16:14•Updated 26.2. 16:27
According to Urheilu’s information Kerttu Niskanen was originally supposed to compete in the pair sprint of the World Championships in Planica.
Coach of the Finnish women’s team Juho Halonen did not want to comment on the matter to Urheilu after the couple print.
– I’m not going to open it any further. This was our pick for the day. Within the team, it was considered that this is the way to go today, Halonen stated.
Jasmi Joensuu and Krista Pärmäkoski were sixth in the race.
The issue was also discussed in the Sports Studio, where the aftermath of the World Championship Paris Sprint was held.
– Maybe he wants to save for next week’s important games. He still has three trips left in this World Championship. Kertulla, Urheilu’s expert, is certainly aiming for that Ville Nousiainen pondered.
According to expert Nousiainen, Kerttu Niskanen would have been a very competent alternative for the pair sprint.
– Kerttu skied a really good sprint at the Tour de Ski. Then, on top of that, his endurance features for the pair sprint. Kerttu would have been a good option for the opening leg, Nousianen said.
So an athlete can say with his personal trainer that “I really don’t ski when it puts my own personal trips at risk”?
– Yes, these will be discussed. Kerttu has a big medal seam for the last day, Nousiainen said and pointed to next week’s Saturday 30 km traditional cross-country start race.
– If he has tired himself before that, does it make any sense? There is also a good medal seam in the women’s relay. This is like the Tour de Ski. If you can miss a few races, you can be in a better position to take medals in other races.
Niskanen got a wooden leg when he fell before Saturday’s combined competition. However, Niskanen competed and was fifth.
Doctor of the Finnish national team Janne Pesonen comment on Ilta-Sanom on Saturday evening (you will switch to another service)that the shock was probably overcome with a startle.