Krista Pärmäkoski could not say after the 30 km traditional race of the World Championships in Planica, whether her career would continue.
Simo Arkko,
Laura Arffman
15:23•Updated 15:29
Krista Pärmäkoski, 32, can’t say yet if he’ll end his cross-country career. Pärmäkoski commented on the matter to Urheilu after the 30-kilometer traditional skiing competition of the World Championships in Planica.
When the reporter Laura Arffman asked Pärmäkoski if this was his last value race, Pärmäkoski was silent for a few seconds.
– Going into this training season, I was 100% sure that this would be my last season, but I can’t say the answer to that at the moment, Pärmäkoski told Urheilu with a trembling voice.
Pärmäkoski was 15th in the competition. The difference to the leader was more than three minutes. According to Pärmäkoski, based on the tests, he started the competition with enough grip in his opinion. The tests were stretched as late as possible, because the weather changed due to the sun.
– The legs were not included at all for some reason. There wasn’t enough grip on the first ride.
– I went to change and got a more grippy ski, but it was difficult. My legs were out and my stomach felt like cramping. Sometimes there were good moments and sometimes bad moments.
You were in really good shape at the Tour de Ski. Is it the case that the best blade was still left at the turn of the year?
– I had really good exercises at the preparatory camp and I still have my own competition here. I don’t know if too much became too much. I don’t think the best blade stayed there though. I assumed I could perform better here.
– I got a good ski for the message, but actually the other skis were bad.
Sports expert Kalle Lassila states that Pärmäkoski certainly still has a lot to give to skiing. According to him, these questions must, however, take into account that top sports require extreme dedication and commitment.
– The decision whether to continue and for how long is a really big one. Everyone must respect the fact that the athlete makes the decision when he does and certainly with good reasons.
Pärmäkoski, who has been skiing on international slopes since autumn 2008, has achieved a total of 12 medals in his career, five of them at the Olympics.
Pärmäkoski has five individual medals (Olympic silver, World Championship silver and three Olympic bronzes).