The Finnish women were far behind in the Jällivaara 10 km freestyle intermediate start race. Kerttu Niskanen was 22nd as the best Finn, but the difference to the winner, the United States To Jessica Diggins grew to almost two minutes. Krista Pärmäkoski was 25th, five seconds slower than Niska.
Sports experts Aino-Kaisa Saarinen and Ville Nousiainen reminded that the Jällivaara track is a “rally track”, i.e. completely different from the Ruka World Cup track. It also caused big differences at the top.
– The big differences are due to the relatively long, but skiable climbs and fast, clear descents on this track. You have to work hard all the time, so skiers who are capable will do well, Vieraileva Saarinen wrote in Urheilu’s live chat over the weekend.
Nousiainen, who was in the commentary booth, reminded that on a track like Jällivaara, you won’t gain a single meter easily. When the skier stops working, the speed also stops.
– The Finns now emphasize that if there is still a training load in the body, maintaining a high speed is more difficult than on a track where you would ski slower, i.e. the climbs would be even longer and steeper, Saarinen wrote.
– The Finns are currently not in sufficient performance condition, for now. This track requires very high performance and high frequency.
“I wouldn’t wear skis”
During the race, in the chat and commentary booth, we discussed whether Finnish maintenance is completely on the map when it comes to skis. Lubrication Manager Heikki Tonteri had to miss the weekend’s races because of the corona virus, and he is sick Petri Koivisto.
In the speeds measured during the competition, Krista Pärmäkoski was the fourth fastest and returned to the World Cup circles Riitta-Liisa Roponen eighth fastest.
– At least for the descent, Finnish skis work excellently, for the ascent it’s a different matter. Only the athlete himself knows that, but I can’t believe that the result would depend on it, Nousiainen said.
Krista Pärmäkoski assured that the reason for the tight going was not found in the skis, but in something else.
– I wouldn’t wear skis. They were competitive. I don’t know if it’s because of the cold or if I was tired or if morning races are not suitable. The athletes should have had better things to do, Pärmäkoski stated.
– I guess it always feels pretty slow in this weather, but we tested a lot yesterday. I think our team did a good job. That is perhaps the main reason why these tougher results came about, Jasmi Joensuu your comp.
Women’s coach Ville Maunuskelan according to some of the skiers were satisfied with their skis, some were not.
– Other teams have had the same experience. There have been differences within the team and it has been influenced by which brand of skis one skis, Maunuksela stated.
There are still no real medicines for the free cold race
After the race, the Finnish skiers complained about the problems caused by the frost. Ropose’s eyes and thighs froze, Pärmäkoski’s toes, Kerttu Niskanen’s muscular problems didn’t like the cold weather either.
According to Maunuskela, the cold weather is not suitable for Finns, at least for free skiing.
– Pretty much the same formula as Ruka on Sunday. We still haven’t found the right medicine for severe cold and free race. “Traditional comes to us as a blood inheritance, so Napsu’s results will be better,” Maunuksela thought.
He reminded that the skiers have achieved good results in tests during the training season.
– The condition should be good. In these couple of races, it just hasn’t been shown in the results list. There is enough work to work in freezing weather, Maunuksela said.