Cross mat Hakola was supposed to see for a long time at the international skiing competitions this weekend, when Rovaniemi was supposed to have the competitions of the second international tour Scandinavia Cup.
However, the races were canceled due to severe frost. Hakola has recently been spending time in Vuokatti training.
– Skiing tastes better every day. Sometimes it’s been in pretty good shape. You could say, like in Kummel, that family matters are in order and skiing is a great sport, Hakola states.
After June, he did not participate in any national team camp due to health problems. Hakola returned to competitions at the beginning of November at the Vuokatti Finnish Cup, but announced that she would immediately take a training break.
Before Christmas, it was time for another comeback. The skier from Jämin Jänte participated in the national championships in Ristijärvi. Hakola won the 15-kilometer traditional skiing race by more than two minutes.
Since then, Hakola has experienced another setback. On Christmas Eve, Hako started to have a cold and developed a fever.
– It’s always a bit taxing. Let’s see if we can get back into a proper training rhythm and at some point we’ll go to the Games. Training is nice, but I miss the games, says Hakola.
According to Hakola, setbacks like fever and flu eat away at a man, especially when his condition was already quite good. In the same breath, however, he reminds us of the bigger picture after the difficulties of the summer.
– These are just small bumps in the big picture. These are basically nothing, Hakola states.
Two years ago, the World Championship silver medalist in the pair sprint has not opened up about his problems during the summer in more detail in public, and he won’t do it now either. In November, in Vuokatti, Hakola described to how her health was in pretty deep shape.
Now he says that it was difficult in the summer and autumn. Hakola estimates that the health problems plagued him for three months.
– It was quite a difficult time. All I can say is that it was a really good fight. The nose is already on the surface, but we still have to fight, Hakola states.
At first, Hakola found it a little difficult to be curious about the problems. He praises his friends for their support.
– You have to give heart to a lot of guys that they took the time to come along for the run. Honkimaan Antin with us we went from Espoo by bike for coffee buns. That’s when the fitness started to build, Hakola opens.
– At first I just tried to disappear into the shadows. I knew that my basic level is at a certain level. At the beginning, however, it was like walking with a stick for a while. I felt like being in the shadows and just walking with a stick.
Tampere WC in sight, no pressure from WC
Next, Hakola is scheduled to compete in the Tampere Championship in a couple of weeks. There, he is especially interested in the traditional skiing sprint competition. Before the WC, he plans to take part in training competitions in Vuokatti. Next weekend’s Falun Scandinavian Cup competitions will not inspire him without top maintenance.
– It’s pointless to go there without top maintenance. It’s such a tough competition. You’d need top chops to get by. Without them, you would only feel bad, Hakola states.
During the autumn, Hakola has hinted in various interviews that during the difficulties of the summer, he was already thinking about ending his career. However, that is not in mind now.
– My profession is skiing. When there are setbacks all the time, and you are not allowed to do your own profession…, Hakola opens his reflection.
– Of course, it’s part of sports that you can’t foreclose on everything. But it does make you feel low. Last year’s time has been crossed quite far, Hakola describes.
The 31-year-old skier hopes to fully enjoy side-by-side skiing in the future.
– A little cold and canning. Enjoy what you like, Hakola dreams.
The world championships in Planica at the turn of February-March are on the mind, but Hakola does not take pressure from the spring championships.
– I’m aiming for the late spring games. I want to be in them at my best. Does late spring start in Planica or after? It doesn’t matter that much. However, I believe that I will still be in good shape this year, Hakola states.
Hakola didn’t watch much of the Tour de Ski tour. Instead, the skiing star has found pleasure in watching a completely different sport, i.e. darts.
However, Hakola sends his own greetings to the tight final climb of the Tour de Ski to Alpe Cermis in Val di Fieme.
– Squeeze your ass. Normally you can do that in Alpe Cermis, Hakola smiles.
The Tour de Ski culminates on Sunday with the ascent of Alpe Cermis. The women’s competition will be shown live on TV2 and Areena from 11:55. The men’s competition starts at 1:40 p.m.