– The end result arouses great pleasure and happiness. This is a small step, but Finnish ski jumping will feel a little better after this.
Vilho Palosaren achieved the ski jumping youth world championship, the Ski Jumping Association and combined sport leader Mika Kojonkoski to get excited.
And for a reason. It had been 14 years since the previous ski jumping youth medal, and no less than 18 years since the victory.
Sports expert Janne Ahonen won two individual World Youth Championship golds in the early 1990s.
Ahonen knew how to expect a strong result from Palosaari based on the training. The champion himself described his winning jumps as ugly.
Ahonen says that Palosaari’s competition jumps were not the best. He was close to staggering after his jump.
– The point difference has no meaning when the gold medal is around your neck, Ahonen reminds.
Palosaari made a big impression on Ahosee during the hill week. Palosaari, who debuted on the legendary tour at the turn of the year, reached the second round promisingly.
The 18-year-old Palosaari’s best ranking in the World Cup is 23rd in Zakopane, Poland.
– The young man went to the first hill week, where he jumped really smoothly. He went there to do real things and not to marvel at the atmosphere of Mäkiviki, Ahonen recalls.
A more direct way
Hill jumping used to be a playground for teenage jumpers. There were several successful 17-19 year olds in the sport. Those who were successful in the youth competition immediately excelled in the adult competition as well. Such examples include Ahonen, Toni Nieminen, Gregor Schlierenzauer and Thomas Morgenstern.
The situation has changed. Today, the best in the world are 25–30-year-old golden eagles. Enduring successes Kamil Stoch and Dawid Kubacki are well into their thirties.
– Hill jumping is no longer as young a sport as it used to be. Those dudes who were in the Junior World Cup could also be on the podium in the World Cup. In recent years, that has not been the case anymore, says Ahonen.
Ahonen points out that now the Junior World Cup winner has a big gap to the top of the World Cup.
– However, the most important thing of all is that among those who bridge the gap, Vilho is at the top compared to the athlete of any country.
Kojonkoski estimates that Palosaari can jump into the top 15 at best. The standard level is as a two-round athlete.
– Reaching the absolute top level is a journey of years, Kojonkoski reminds.
2001
1. Brother-Matti Lindström
2002
1. Janne Happonen
3. Kalle Keituri
2004
3. Olli Pekkala
2005
1. Joonas Ikonen
2009
3. Ville Larinto
2023
1. Vilho Palosaari
A measuring stick for other Finnish jumpers
Immediately after his victory, Palosaari stated that the next goal is to reach the World Championships in Planica. Ahonen wonders if Palosaari is not included there.
– I believe that during the rest of the season he will have several World Cup and World Cup starts. These races were his main goal for the season, so it will certainly be easier to continue the season.
Finnish sports people have been worried about whether the right things are being done in the sport. It goes without saying that the Palosaari World Championship is of great importance to Finnish ski jumping.
– There is a new age category coming and the world champion of that category comes from Finland. It certainly creates faith. If there are no young champions, it’s hard to expect success even when you’re older.
Finland’s young promises now have a credible yardstick to compare with. Finland once succeeded on a broad front, so it was easier to show a model example.
– When we skipped normal workouts, there was always a measuring stick for others. When there haven’t been any for a while, the matter has gone to waste, Ahonen states.