Riitta-Liisa Roponen was the best Finn in the 10-kilometer intermediate start race of freestyle skiing at the Artillery Games in Olos and beat many national team athletes.
Roope Visuri,
Petra Manner
Riitta-Liisa Roponen made a splash on Sunday at the Olos Artillery Championships, when he was the best Finn in the ten-kilometer freestyle time trial.
Roponen was sixth, behind the German who won the race Victoria Carlista 59.6 seconds.
Roponen, who finished his active career a year and a half ago, beat the stars of the current national team in the competition Krista Pärmäkoski and Kerttu Niskanen.
Pärmäkoski, which opened its season on Sunday, was tenth. He was 14.3 seconds behind Ropose. Kerttu Niskanen was eleventh and beat Pärmäkoski by 0.3 seconds.
The competition was the first of the season for Pärmäkoski.
What kind of thoughts does it evoke in Ropose that he washes so many national team athletes even today?
– A bit confusing, of course, but these are now the first races of the season. The top of the world is going at breakneck speed. I was here to join in the fun. Surely women will improve from this, Roponen thought to Urheilu.
Roponen described his performance as great.
– I had to pace myself to enjoy and be willing to ski against yourself, Roponen said.
Roponen had joined Niskanen’s pees, but also broke at the end.
– I tried to give everything to the last climb. There you could push as much as you could, Roponen stated.
New motivation from camping with Pärmäkoski
The trainer Toni Roponen said that Riitta-Liisa Roponen has now reduced her training to 800 hours a year. Riitta-Liisa Roponen answered that the coach has thrown the reading from the hip. According to his own words, he has not monitored the amount of training, and he does not have any training program.
In September, Roponen spent several weeks with Krista Pärmäkoski in the United States, when Pärmäkoski wanted to try a different preparation for the season.
According to Roponen, he had no motivation whatsoever for competitive skiing. At the camp, however, Roposta is motivated to help Pärmäkoski and do things as well as possible.
– I caught the root of the matter in America. Skiing is absolutely amazing as a hobby more than competitively. I thoroughly enjoy everything related to this, Roponen stated.
Roponen hadn’t really planned on participating in the Olos Artillery Games either. He registered for the day’s competition on Monday, when registration was the last day open.
– A week ago, I didn’t have a single competition on the calendar. I still don’t know when I will be able to compete next time, Roponen states.
He could compete as soon as a suitable competition is found.
– We were at the cabin in Levi now. If there are such nice competitions, I will definitely join, Roponen stated.
Follow the events of the weekend of the Olos Artillery Games and Winter Sports here moment by moment.
1. Victoria Carl GER 25.34,1
2. Eva Urevc SLO + 33.4
3. Sophia Laukli USA + 38.8
4. Silje Theodorsen’s NOR + 46.3
5. Pia Fink GER + 47.7
6. Riitta-Liisa Roponen FIN + 59.6
10. Krista Pärmäkoski FIN + 1.13,9
11. Kerttu Niskanen FIN + 1.14,2
13. Jasmin Kähärä FIN + 1.19,3
16. Anne Kyllönen FIN + 1.28,2
17. Tiia Olkkonen FIN + 1.36.6
18. Rebecca Immonen FIN + 1.38.6
20. Emmi Lämsä FIN + 1.47.7