IFK Göteborg crushingly renewed their victory in the Venlo relay. The best Finnish team was third-placed Kalevan Rasti, who, despite Marika Tein’s fall, fought for silver in the last meters.
The Swedish IFK Göteborg won last year’s Venlo relay championship by far with a total time of 3:00:43.
Anchor of Gothenburgers Sara Hagström was the first to cross the finish line before another Swedish club, OK Linnéa Johanna Öbergia (+4.45) and Kalevan Rastin Mia Niitty (4.53). The Finnish team fought for the silver until the last tick of the last leg.
The most dramatic turn of the race was seen when Kalevan Rasti, who finished in bronze, guided the third leg Marika Teinin The GPS locator stopped. The reason for stopping was revealed in Teini’s interview. He had fallen into a ditch and hit his head, but was still able to continue his performance.
– I dived headfirst into the ditch. I just tripped on the edge of the ditch and hit my head on the bench so hard that I collected myself for a moment and wondered if this is here, Teini said.
– Fortunately, it had a drinking glass. I got water and the staff thought I looked like I had all my limbs saved. I was able to continue, but it was difficult after that. Couldn’t stay on the cart any longer, wondering what time it is.
The broadcast of Jukola’s message starts on TV2, Areena and Puhee at 22:45.