In Hyères, France, Finnish sailors are aiming for the last available land spots for the Summer Olympics.
HYÈRES
The importance and pressure of the Olympic qualification are emphasized in speeches and gestures, as the Finnish sailors make the final preparations for the race that starts in Hyères on Sunday. Athletes aiming for Olympic places compete in their own groups, so only the Top players guarantee a spot. While preparations are being made, a strong wind is blowing in France, but lighter weather is expected for the race week.
– It would be nice to reach that place now! It has already been pursued for a few years, Ronja Grönblom give a laugh.
Grönblom and Veera Hokka narrowly missed out on the Tokyo Olympics three years ago. At the World Championships in The Hague last August, the pair were the first to miss out on a place in the Olympics. Although the duo has not been at their sharpest this season, a place in the Olympic regatta in Marseille is a realistic goal.
– We are going to do our own good basic performance, there is no need to do anything amazing. We only avoid the biggest dips, Veera Hokka estimates.
– Lately, we’ve been focused on going out and doing our own thing, getting a good performance out.
In a tight race, keeping your nerves under control might be decisive. The two have a simple recipe for this.
– We focus on essential and basic work, Grönblom states.
– We’ll put everything into play and see how it goes, says Hokka.
A basic performance is enough
In the men’s 49er class, Finland has two representatives on the team. Twins Oskari Muhonen–Edvard Bremer and Juuso Roihu–Lasse Lindell are looking for land. Finnjolla’s multiple youth world champion Muhonen, who was left out of the Olympic program, has been sailing with his partner for a good year. Moving to the 49er class required learning something new and losing ten kilos
– The jump has been quite big, I have had to learn a lot of new things. Of course, the background from Finnjoll has helped, because sailing itself doesn’t change anything. Handling the boat is the biggest thing that has come up, Muhonen thinks.
– It’s good when you can be confident on the water. The other takes care of his own business, Bremer commented.
The pair believes that the first Olympic place will come with a strong basic performance.
– In the World Championships, we were already within the qualifying limits with a slightly worse performance than average. We go to the race with a very positive and confident mind, Muhonen smiles.
Two women are chasing the Olympic dream in windsurfing Alexandra Blinnika and Sofia Hämäläinen. The closest to the place is the men’s race Jakob Eklund.
– The trainings have gone well. I’m looking for good starts and tactically sensible sailing. Everyone is aiming for the same thing, so the fight will certainly be tough, says Eklund.
Towards another Olympics
Formula Kite will feature the team’s hero, who participated in the 49erFX class at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 Nora Ruskola. The Olympic place in Rio was decided by Ruskola and by Camilla Cedercreutz to the advantage in the internal Finnish qualification held in Hyères.
– I’m really happy that I qualified right here as well. There are many good memories associated with this place, Ruskola smiles.
Ruskola, who is competing in high-speed kiteboarding for the third season, believes that his hitting ability and skills will make it to the Olympics.
– My experience will be my strength in the race. Especially the sailing experience, but being able to restrain and control emotions and focus on competing, because of course it always makes you nervous.
– An Olympic place is a super important goal! Ruskola states.
Before the race in Hyères, Finland has three spots for the sailing Olympics in Marseille. It is hoped that the team will be bigger in a week.
– There is a hunger for medals. With great success, Finland can even reach the medal stand. Three boat crews have secured a place in the Olympics and I believe that five boat crews will make it to the Olympics, Finnish Olympic Committee’s top sports representative Toni Roponen states.