Perttu Hyvärinen even tickled the World Cup medal battle – Finnish debutant Niko Anttola immediately stung, the experts demanded a tough decision

Perttu Hyvärinen was the best Finn in 13th place in the 15 km freestyle skiing race of the World Championships in Planica. Hyvärinen was one minute and 31.9 seconds behind the winner, Norway Simen from Hegstad Krüger.

Krüger won his second gold medal at the World Championships in Planica. He was number one already last weekend in the combined competition.

Norway took a quadruple victory in the competition. It came to silver Harald Östberg Amundsen and skied for bronze Hans Christer Holund. Johannes Hösflot Kläbo was left fourth.

Norway had even a fifth win in the competition, but Sweden William Poromaa managed Kläbon and Sjur Röthen into the fifth.

Two years ago, at the World Championships, Hyvärinen was 17th on the same route.

– Everything was left on the track. The race was tough. At least I had enough pressure for the race. It took quite a lot to get it myself. The start was good enough, but in the last lap it went out, Hyvärinen described.

Hyvärinen was ninth in the middle of the race and the distance to the medal was 12.7 seconds. At that time, the encouragement “ten seconds for the World Cup silver” shouted by a member of the Finnish team could be heard until the TV broadcast.

The differences became big in the second half of the race.

Hyvärinen admitted that this time there were 12 better men on the track, especially in the last part.

– There was a bit too much desire, Hyvärinen stated.

The conditions at the World Championships in Planica were once again capricious. It was noticed, among other things, by being alerted to the World Championships as a substitute Markus Vuorela. He was only left in 43rd place.

Vuorela said that he had to choose a ski that was either better for going up or down. Vuorela had chosen a better ski for the climbs.

According to Hyvärinen, he had skis with which he could have won the race.

– It was the most difficult ski test in the world. He has had to think his head off. However, good work was done again, Hyvärinen stated.

Hyvärinen began to wax poetic when talking about his mood after the race.

– My mind is bright, happy and energetic, but it took a small hit from this race. Kerosene has burned during the Games. It’s been a long winter so far. The spring sun is shining, so there is still work to be done. But there are always bangs, Hyvärinen stated.

Niko Anttola stunned the adults in his WC debut

At the beginning of February, who celebrated the under-20 world championship in a 10-kilometer freestyle skiing race Niko Anttola was the second best Finn on Wednesday. Anttola was 24th in the competition.

– I knew that my basic level is so good that there is no need to try miracles, Anttola said.

Anttola described that he went to the race so that he could ski the whole way without freezing.

– During the longest work period, I was constantly at the limit. Then I tried to be as hard as possible in the final corners and the easiest sections, Anttola stated.

At the World Championships in Planica, the men still have a relay race on Friday and a 50 kilometer race on Sunday. Are they of interest to Anttola?

– Fortunately, you don’t have to decide what to ski yourself. The coaches decide. Let’s do what they say, Anttola stated.

Lindholm giving the post to Anttola

Teammates who lost to Anttola Remi Lindholm and Markus Vuorela lavishly praised the debutant after the competition.

– If there’s anything positive, Niko skied really great. I watched it from behind for a while. Niko pulled well. It looked great, Vuorela said.

Before the day’s race, it was speculated that Lindholm would ski in the freestyle section of the relay. He was now ready to give his place on the relay team to Anttola. Lindholm lost half a minute to Anttola.

– I guess spring started for me. Niko skied really well. I take my hat off. He’s a good guy. He has oxygen uptake for the climbs. It’s really hard, Lindholm said.

Sports expert Ville Nousiainen also praised Anttola’s performance.

– Niko convinced me. He should definitely be chosen for the relay for freestyle skiing, Nousiainen stated.

Another expert Kalle Lassila olisi is also ready to put Anttola in the message lineup.

– Yes, I certainly did. The Finnish men’s team is in such a situation that it is not worth looking for a sure, even composition, because the medal is not direct realism. It’s worth prioritizing hot skiers, Lassila stated.

Can the Finnish team today do that?

– Not necessarily in every situation. It’s not necessarily easy, because in terms of team unity, it’s usually important that everything is result-based and clear for as long as possible.

However, the biggest question mark for Friday’s message will probably be the traditional skiing of the opening leg. It has been set in the speculations Ristomatti Hakolaa, but he hasn’t raced in Planica yet. Nousiainen and Lassila would be ready to put Hakola in the opening leg.

Head coach of the Finnish national team Teemu Pasanen didn’t start locking message configurations yet.

– Let’s start thinking about the composition and skiing order, but it was really good skiing from Niko today, Pasanen stated.