Ilkka Herola gave the audience in Salppur high praise – Eero Hirvonen disagreed a little: “Perhaps the memories are pretty golden”

Ilkka Herola and Eero Hirvonen kept a very fast pace in the cross-country section. Austrian Johannes Lamparter achieved a rare feat.

The team’s season has been quiet in Finnish terms, but on Saturday in Salpauselä the overall effort was excellent, when Ilkka Herola was fourth and Eero Hirvonen fifth.

Herola and Hirvonen started the skiing section from positions 11 and 13, losing more than a minute and a half to the top. The Finnish duo immediately got into the big main group, which in the third round caught up with France, which was in third place Laurent Muhlethaler.

In the last round, Herola was able to match Norway, which is second in the overall competition Jens Lurås Oftebron jerked and only bent at the end of the straight. Herola’s best and so far only podium finish of the season is the second place in the Otepää combined start race.

– It was great to ski in front of the home crowd. Eero also had a great race. In the end, it was sad that there was no crown.

Herola’s last month was difficult. This season, even the best skiing speed has been missed, but on Saturday Herola was the fastest of the day. Hirvonen came second with the fastest time.

– I don’t know what it was like in January-February, but now skiing feels normal. It’s nice to compete. Sport also includes tougher periods.

Herola and Hirvonen got to enjoy a great home crowd.

– It was really one of the best races of my career to ski. It was a crazy atmosphere. More moods like that, thank you, Herola sent a wish for the closing day.

Hirvonen had the best of the season.

– I felt that the last lap went well except for one steep part. I am satisfied with this as well.

Hirvonen also thanked the audience, but was not sure if it was the best atmosphere in Salppur during his career.

– Salppuri is the best of the world cup competitions where we get to ski. I remember that there used to be a louder commotion here. I don’t know if time has gilded the memories.

“Confidence for boys”

Finland’s head coach Antti Kuisma was pleased with the strong overall contribution.

– This was a good reminder that we are still dealing with this, Kuisma reminded.

Tomorrow’s race has not been promised the best possible conditions for the hill section.

– I’m waiting for us to jump. However, all conditions are suitable for us. I think this gave the boys confidence.

The competition was won by Norway, which has been in a wild mood since the World Cup Jarl Magnus Riiber Estonia, which won the hill section before Kristjan Ilves. For the Estonian, the podium finish was the fifth of his career.

of Austria Johannes Lamparter was able to secure the overall race victory before Sunday’s final race. The 21-year-old athlete became the first Austrian athlete to win the combined World Cup overall since the 2000–2001 season and by Felix Gottwald.

At the same time, Lamparter broke Riiber’s four-year winning streak.