The 20-year-old secured the Finnish World Championship relay silver Niko Anttolan after the cold-headed anchor section. The parents of Anttola, a debutant in the adult competition, watched the competition in Planica. Father Marko Anttola stated after the race that a normal Niko Anttola has been seen in Planica.
– Really good performance today especially and of course it was on Wednesday as well, but normal Niko.
Within just over a month, Anttola has become both a youth world champion and an adult World Cup silver medalist. Anttola won the World Youth Championship gold in the 10 km free race at the turn of January-February in Whistler, Canada.
Before the relay race, it was Anttola who was also one of the question marks for the Finnish team, because he did not have the water skis needed for the conditions in Planica.
– I was really nervous. I was hoping for a medal, but it was pretty amazing, mom Heli Niemelä comment immediately after the message.
Anttola started the last leg more than 30 seconds ahead of the pursuers – Canada Oliver Leveilleof France Jules Lapierreof Sweden Calle Halfvarssonia and Germany Friedrcih Mochia. During Anttola’s section, the gap already grew to 50 seconds.
In recent months, Anttola has made a complete breakthrough and taken his place in the adult national team. The anchor part was, at the latest, proof that the super talent has passed its maturity test.
– I believed that Niko’s head will hold up well if the speed is just right, and the pursuers don’t go on a crazy ride. And they didn’t leave, father Marko said.
In particular, Anttola’s excellent freestyle skiing technique has garnered praise internationally, all the way to Norway Petter Northugia down to.
– Well, I guess I knew how to teach the basics, but yes, it’s pretty much Niko’s own merit for this finishing touch. He is very interested in it, Marko Anttola said.
How does it feel to follow this crazy mill?
– It feels absolutely incredible. I would not have believed in the fall that this would happen, Heli Niemelä said.
Anttola is also very good at golf, why did he just become a skier?
– Yeah. He wanted to choose a better sport.
According to Anttola’s parents, the place in the relay team came unexpectedly, so the silver party is still waiting to be planned.
Anttola himself told about the great excitement before the competition.
– I just tried to keep my head together. Because that job was done today, Anttola summed up at the finish.
“Today is the ski wives’ party!”
Ristomatti Hakola’s father Tuomo Hakola witnessed his son’s second prestigious medal in Planica. The first medal of Hakola’s career came from the pair sprint in Oberstdorf 2021. The men’s relay was Hakola’s opening trip at this year’s World Championships.
– I have to say that both taste very good, but yes, this was the best. It can be said that men’s skiing is at a certain level and our young skier Niko Anttola did a great performance, Hakola said.
Ristomat’s opening leg had gone from Tuomo Hakola following along the track. However, Ristomatti has forbidden his father to shout too much, because in the past he has given his son the wrong breaks.
– In any case, of course the tension was great, when there wasn’t really much to do. Of course, we were able to come here early to practice and uploaded here. Thanks Rise, thanks the whole team! Great performances, Ivo, Perttu and especially Niko.
Ristomatti Hakola’s spouse Eveliina Herva said in an interview that the difficult times have not been easy for either of them. However, he fully believed that Hakola would find a good mood for the opening leg after being sick.
Perttu Hyvärinen’s first competition medal is a big deal for his spouse as well Emma Mertakorvelle.
– Yes, this has been expected and after seeing him for many years, when he works so hard for it, it feels great for him.
The goal of Mertakorven and Herva was to find their spouses at the competition venue, hug and start celebrating.
– Something has to be done, there has been Corona and everything here for many years. Undeniably, they were quite tough. Today is the party of ski wives! Herva and Mertakorpi announced and sent their greetings to Iivo Niskanen Get it– to the wife.
Story updated 18.12: added interviews of relatives of Ristomatti Hakola and Perttu Hyvärinen. At 18:54 Niko Anttola’s mother’s last name was corrected to Niemeläk. Eero Niskanen’s interview added at 22:15.