Kalle Lassila’s wild assessment of Iivo Niskanen’s striking ability: “Nobody would have a piece” | Sport

Based on Saturday, Iivo Niskanen is in better shape than Ruka’s cross-country skiing.

Kerttu Niskanen and Tiia Olkkonen were the joys of the Finnish national skiing team in the traditional sprints held in Östersund on Saturday. Niskanen, who has been working on his fitness since the beginning of the season, was 8th and Olkkonen 11th.

In addition to the duo, Finnish women have also made it to the sprint semifinals of the World Cup this season Jasmi Joensuu, which was sixth in Ruka. Olkkonen was appointed to Östersund to replace Joensuu, who contracted the coronavirus.

Sports expert Kalle Lassila was happy with the performance of his former coach. 24-year-old Olkkonen has been known for many years as a talented sprinter.

Already in Ruka’s sprint qualifying, he flashed in fifth place.

– He did a really good race at the international level. Olkkonen has been able to raise and stabilize his level, Lassila states.

The background to Olkkonen’s new mood is the changes in everyday life. In the past, he has been more responsible for his training himself. The current coach of the athlete who moved to Rovaniemi is Janne Hyyppä.

– Tiia is the kind of skier from whom you can expect anything in the future. When he gets a feel for the heats and maintains good confidence, I wouldn’t fall off my chair if he’s in the finals some weekend.

Iivo Niskanen assured

Finnish top names on the men’s side Lauri Vuorinen and Joni Mäki were disappointing for Lassila. Instead, the performance of the Niskaste sisters sent an encouraging message about the condition of Finland’s star skiers.

Saturday’s sprint clearly saw the best of Kerttu Niska this season.

– It was still crowded in Ruka. Such a sprint performance shows that he is in really good shape heading into the Tour de Ski, Lassila sees.

On Sunday in Östersund, the second ten kilometer free time trial of the World Cup season will be contested. Mixed From the mouth that from Kerttu Niskas you can expect a ranking in the top ten.

Especially Iivo Niskanen’s traditional skiing made a great impression on Lassilaa. Two weeks ago, Rukalla Niskanen was disappointed with her skiing despite the second place.

Niskanen threw the poles after the race, which caused an uproar.

On Saturday, Lassila noticed a clear difference to Iivo Niskase two weeks ago.

– There was a lot of pushing in Iivo’s skiing two weeks ago. Now you could see that Iivo’s skiing was clearly sharper. If there were to be traditional skiing tomorrow, no one would have a piece. Many people can sign it, Lassila insists.

The Americans surprised

On Saturday, in the men’s sprint, the young Americans James Clinton Schoonmaker and Ben Ogden ranked 3–4. The top prize was Schoomaker’s first in his career.

The women’s women’s sprint final also saw two Americans Rosie Brennan’s and Jessie Diggins with. Lassila estimates that the USA team has also succeeded in terms of equipment.

Schoonmaker and Odgen are both promising skiers born in 2000. The latter of them was on the verge of winning the World Youth Relay gold for his country.

– They are at an age where they are expected to rise to the top. Of course, maintenance is always a really decisive factor as part of performance. When it’s a diamond day and maintenance is a snap, it gives you the opportunity to stand out from the crowd.

– This season, the period without fluoride has also affected the results. Sometimes we’ve been wondering what’s going on with the results lists, Lassila reminds.

Updated 18:47: Corrected Olkkonen’s ranking to 11th, not 12th.