Elian Lehto’s main goal of the season was fulfilled when he made it to the World Cup finals. Reaching the place was important for many reasons.
– Maybe they are up to something there, I don’t know. Big boys know better.
Alpine skier Elian Lehton the answer is almost cryptic. He is careful not to comment on where he will train after the current season.
Lehto’s rocket-like rise towards the top of alpine skiing has been one of the biggest Finnish sensations in winter sports this year. Cooperation with the Swiss national team is behind the upward development.
The 23-year-old speed skater has already trained for the second season with the national speed team, which is considered the best in the world. Lehto’s success has sparked a discussion about whether the collaboration will continue next season as well.
Sports expert Kalle Palander previously wondered if Lehto’s success is too big a threat for the Swiss. President of the Swiss Ski Association Urs Lehmann dismissed the speculations and said that Elian is a valuable athlete for the Swiss team.
Laskija himself assures that the successes have not affected his position in the top team.
– My status has not changed in any way, and I am grateful to the team for that. Everything has remained normal, says Lehto.
“I came to vent a little bit of anger.â€
Lehto’s successful season continued last Saturday, when he was the first Finn in history to secure a place in the fall skiing World Cup finals in Italy in March.
That being the case, Lehto’s main goal of the season was also fulfilled when he finished among the top 25 scorers in the autumn cup. However, he took the final place with mixed feelings, as the main ticket was about to slip out of his hands in the last race.
At that time, Lehto lost points and had to stress the other competitors’ bills until the last. Lehto admits that he was disappointed that he was not able to secure a place at his own expense.
– Yes, I went there a little to vent my anger when I thought I wouldn’t make it. It’s great that I made it, but this shouldn’t be left to luck. In these situations, you have to be better, Lehto reflects.
Towards the podium, but in moderation
The World Cup final in March will be contested in Saalbach, Italy, which will also benefit from next year’s prestigious competitions. The world championships are counted on the same slopes at the end of the year.
That’s exactly why Lehto says he’s heading to Saalbach with several goals in mind. He describes the opportunity as unique.
– The main goal in the World Cup finals is to succeed, but also to get the most out of the slope. Let’s try to use the three invoices as well as possible and get a good result at the same time, Lehto sums up.
Although the Finnish sensation’s goal next year is the World Cup, he tries to keep his goals moderate. Next, Lehto wants to establish his level among the top 15 scorers before pursuing the top spots.
– It is quite clear that there is always a chance for a podium and work to be done for it, but if the top three positions still do not come next year, it is not a big deal, Lehto emphasizes.
– The more important thing is to get consistent results and lay the groundwork for the better, and then after two or three years to keep winning competitions.