After the surprising World Cup silver medal of the Finnish cross-country skiing men, the biggest headlines were deservedly taken by the anchor in his twenties Niko Anttola and made a huge blow in the second leg Iivo Niskanen.
However, the initial pace of the relay medal won after a 14-year break was already struck in the opening leg, when Cross mat Hakola moved the hood Iivo Niskanen at the pace of the medal candidates. Only overwhelming gold favorite Norway managed to escape.
Hakola was the biggest mystery in terms of Finland’s slender medal dreams. He had last competed more than a month ago in the World Cup in France. At the World Championships in Planica, Hakola had waited a week and a half for her turn.
Hakola became the first Finn in 45 years to open his award directly as the message opener (you will switch to another service). The previous one was Esko Departure At the World Championships in Lahti 1978.
The skier from Kankaanpäälä held his ground in a tight spot.
Hakola’s story has already been quite based on what he has publicly told.
A year full of adversity
Hakola got sick with flu before the Beijing Olympics a little over a year ago.
On the rough tracks of China, Hakola had to be disappointed once again. Especially in the message there was a violent melting in the opening part. Finland finished sixth. For Hakola, the message was “the worst experience of my life.”
Even at the opening of the Olympic season, Ruka had broken ribs after a violent fall.
In the final race of the season in Rovaniemi SC skiing, he got another groin injury.
Jämin Jänte’s athlete’s World Cup season also started with adversity.
In the week after Midsummer, Hakola had to do maintenance work at the traditional Aateli Race roller skiing race in Vuokatti, and not compete herself.
During the summer and autumn, Hakola had health problems. He has not yet wanted to open them in more detail.
Currently living in Kaunias, Hakola did not participate in any country team camp before the start of the competition season after the Aateli Race. In Vuokatti’s Suomen Cup in November, Hakola lined up at the starting line. He retired after the relay for a training break.
– In terms of health, it’s been pretty deep. There was a long break in training. A month ago, I would not have believed that I would be here now, Hakola told Urheilu at the time.
Before the turn of the year, Hakola competed in a national competition in Ristijärvi, but at Christmas time there was another setback. Flu and fever struck.
At the time of the Tour de Ski, the World Championships in Planica were on Hakola’s mind in his home country, but he did not take pressure from the prestigious competitions.
– 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 stated in an interview with Urheilu.
In the middle of January, Hakola was able to compete in the Finnish Championship in Tampere and convincingly won the sprint Finnish championship. Then, for example Aino-Kaisa Saarinen was ready to put Hakola in the World Cup team. The setbacks weren’t here yet.
Hakola was unable to participate in the relay general of the World Cup in Toblach due to mild flu symptoms. However, the Finn was selected for the World Cup team.
Planica’s relay became the much-needed success at the most important moment of the season.
Ristomat’s father Tuomo Hakola excited the competition along the track.
– The tension was great. I have been forbidden to shout much from the side of the track. Rise once denied when I gave wrong times, Tuomo Hakola set the mood for ‘s TV cameras.
Ristomatti Hakola’s spouse was also present Eveliina Hervawhich Hakola has thanked for his support throughout his career.
– Of course I believed that such a hit would be found. It hasn’t been an easy role to watch from the sidelines, Herva says.
Herva followed the race, Perttu Hyvärinen’s spouse Emma Mertakorven with. The two sent greetings from the spot to Iivo Niskanen’s Saana spouse.
– Yes, we are going to the villages! Today is the party of ski wives! Greetings to Saana, Herva wished.
Hakola’s personal coach in the last two seasons has been the head coach of the Finnish national team Teemu Pasanen.
– Ristomatti showed that he could compete at this level. During the winter, the exercises have gone quite well. There was information that the condition is quite good. It’s still difficult to go skiing when there are few starts below. But it worked out well, Pasanen described Hakola’s situation in the message.
According to his own words, Hakola was not quite so confident.
– If there is normally 100 percent tension, now it was 120 percent. That’s how many competition breaks there have been, and it hasn’t gone as well as in Strömsö, Hakola said after his relay bet.
The former coach predicted a medal
After his own part, Hakola described his performance as risk-free and, while the race was in progress, wondered whether a medal was necessary for a risk.
Has coached Hakola for 15 years Antti Hagqvist however, had a different opinion. He watched the race at home and had already predicted before the race on Twitter that Finland would win the World Cup medal in the men’s relay.
– I told people that there will be a relay medal in Finland. I got quite a reputation as an oracle from it, Hagqvist laughed in the evening by phone to Urheilu.
Hagqvist was already of the opinion during the race that Hakola’s bet was a good one, even though the athlete himself doubted it from the start.
– I thought that Ristomatti would be kicking himself for not going after Norway. However, I think Ristomatti skied sensibly considering the background. It wouldn’t have been worth doing anything else. The final result was good, the ex-coach said.
Hagqvist, who is now irregularly in contact with Hakola, had been cycling with a skier in the fall. Hagqvist had then told Hakola that Hakola shouldn’t stress about skiing, because “yes, Ristomatti can ski.”
– After the WC sprint in Tampere, I thought that if I don’t get any terrible illnesses, everything is possible. However, I am quite optimistic about these things, says Hagqvist.
Hagqvist had sent Hakola a congratulatory message on Friday.
– I was just sending a message that it seems you can get to World Cup medals even in deep water, says Haggqvist.
The cloth-capped baseball man has now become a two-time World Cup medalist in skiing. Two years ago in Oberstdorf, there was silver at the World Championships Joni Mäen with.
On Friday, Hakola was joined by two other members of the “youth chain” in their thirties, Iivo Niskanen and Perttu Hyvärinen, and Niko Anttola, in his twenties.
The 31-year-old Hakola still has plenty of skiing years left. The long-time coach does not rule out that Hakola would still stand alone in the prestigious competitions on the podium with a medal around his neck.
– This medal proves that the capacity has not been lost. If everything clicks into place and you are able to work, even a personal value competition medal is within reach, Hagqvist states.