Kerttu Niskanen sighed after his opening race – defeating the coach’s man brings “unprecedented joy” | Sport

Kerttu Niskanen clearly bowed to Germany’s Victoria Carl in Olos in her opening race of the season. Niskanen described the race as tough.

Finland’s top female skiers Kerttu Neck and Krista Pärmäkoski in their season-opening competition at the Olos Artillery Games, they clearly lost to the winner Germany Victoria to Carl. of Austria Teresa Stadlober also managed to finish before Niska.

Carl won the 12-kilometer traditional cross-country race with a difference of 31.1 seconds to Stadlober. The difference to the third-placed Niskase was 38 seconds. Pärmäkoski was eight in the race, 1 minute and 19 seconds behind Carl.

Jasmi Joensuu was the second best Finn in fourth place.

Already at 7.7 kilometers, Carl was clearly ahead of all other competitors. His difference to Niskasen at the intermediate point was already 26.8 seconds.

Carl caught the leading Stadlober on the last lap, but the Austrian was able to hang on to the German. This is how Stadlober was able to get past Niskanen in the final results.

Carl described that Olos’ race tracks are suitable for him, because you have to pull a lot with straight push and that is his strength.

– This is a really good place. I like this. When there is enough snow, you can have a nice time outside the racetracks. This is also a good place for teams in terms of housing. We can be together, have fun and prepare for the season, Carl beamed to Urheilu.

Niskasen’s joy from the coach’s sparring

Carl was fourth in the overall cup last season and Kerttu Niskanen was fifth.

Kerttu from Niska sighed after his own season opener.

– Huh huh… It was tough, of course. It was nice to put the tag on my chest and fight for the podium here as well. It was a tough race. The sled didn’t let us off easy, Niskanen pointed to the snowfall during the race.

Niskanen’s seasons have often gone so that the end of the season has been much more brilliant than the beginning.

Has something been invented now that would make the beginning as glorious as the end?

– No.. There’s no point in changing it. During my career, I have noticed that no matter what you do, skiing is not the same in the early season. We’ll go through the games. We trust that even now, Niskanen said.

Niskanen has prepared for the season at home in Vuokatti and at three high-altitude camps in Italy, Livigno and Val Senales. The coach’s spouse has also been involved Juho Mikkonen and Martta the dog.

– I immensely enjoy training in the summer in good conditions. We’ve put everything on the line. Everything has been done as well as it has been invented, Niskanen stated.

Mikkonen, a former national team skier, has acted as Niskanen’s sparring partner at the camps.

– Juho is in such good condition that he can pull on a run. The few moments when I can leave him behind during intensive training brings me immense joy. Juho has said that he needs to be in a condition where it will help me, Niskanen described.

Pärmäkoski walked cautiously, swaying

Krista Pärmäkoski had to take the ski goggles off her face when so much dripping stuff started coming from the sky.

– We came down cautiously, staggering, Pärmäkoski described his journey.

He said that he felt that the day’s race was an expected bet.

– I am satisfied and confident. Maintenance didn’t push the panic button, so you don’t have to either. Today was clear ice weather. When it rains, I’m wondering if we need to dig footholds. However, I think all the women will go with a stick, Pärmäkoski said and believed that the condition will still come back to normal.

Next weekend in Ruka’s Suomen Cup, Pärmäkoski will only compete in the sprint. He is not participating in the 20 km freestyle skiing joint start competition on Sunday. In principle, Pärmäkoski thinks it’s good that Ruka will also compete in the Finnish Cup before the opening of the World Cup.

– I would have hoped that the traditional dozen would compete there on Sunday. Then I would certainly have been seen on the line, Pärmäkoski said.

Follow the events of the Urheilustudio weekend and Olos Artillery Games moment by moment here!

Updated at 12:14 p.m. Added Pärmäkoski’s comments.