After all, we get to compete in the combined men’s world cup this week. Head coach Antti Kuisma told about the Finns’ plans.
There has been enough bad news from the combined men’s national team tour. The competition was to be held in Klingenthal, Germany, on the 14th and 15th. January and in Chaux-Neuve, France, 21–22 January. The International Ski Federation FIS announced the cancellation of both race weekends because there is not enough snow in the regions.
Read also: There is a pancake in the ski competition calendar: “Really stressful for the athletes” – these are the methods FIS is considering to solve the problems
Today, however, there was better news. The previously postponed Klingenthal competitions will be held this coming weekend, January 21-22. The competition program includes two races on the HS140 hill and the usual 10 kilometer ski distance.
Head coach of the Finnish national team Antti Kuisma says that the situation will not change the national team’s plans, as the intention was to go to Central Europe on Thursday anyway. At the moment, the national team is having a camp in Lahti.
– Now we get to do what the athletes have been training for. It’s a great thing, and no extra canceled weekend was needed anymore, says Kuisma.
– It is important that we get to compete with the World Championships in mind.
Originally, the goal of the national team was to compete in the weekends of Klingenthal, Chaux-Neuve and Seefeld as one group. Now the situation is that Otepää’s Sunday 8.1. have not competed since.
However, after Klingenthal, the national team will proceed according to the original plan. After next weekend’s games, the national team will train for a couple of days and then move to Seefeld, Austria.
After Seefeld, the national team will visit Finland. Then there are the World Cups in Oberstdorf and Schonach before the World Cup in Planica.
Even based on today’s information, Klingenthal’s passage through the Games did not seem completely uncomplicated. The race weekend has been shortened, so Friday’s practice will be moved to Saturday.
FIS Combined Competition Director Lasse Ottesen commented on the organization of the Klingenthal Games today for NRK (you switch to another service), that “we have to keep our fingers crossed”. He also confirmed that there is still not enough snow for Friday’s practice.
It sounds vague, but Kuisma believes that this time the weather reports are on the side of the united circus.
– Of course, no guarantees have been given (about the completion of the Games). However, we have received a webcam image from there. There have been good night frosts there and there will be in the coming nights as well. Klingenthal’s organization is known to have fixed the place in very poor conditions. However, it’s freezing now, but there will definitely be a rush there, Kuisma reflects.
Gentlemen:
21.–22.1. Klingenthal, Germany
27.–29.1. Seefeld, Austria
4.–5.1. Oberstdorf, Germany
11.–12.1. Schonach, Germany
World Championships in Planica, Slovenia 22.2.–5.3.
Ladies:
27.–28.1. Seefeld, Austria
11.–12.1. Schonach, Germany
World Championships in Planica, Slovenia 22.2.–5.3.
Gentlemen:
1. Jarl Magnus Riiber, NOR, 558 points
2. Jens Lurås Oftebro, NOR, 544
3. Julian Schmid, GER, 493
4. Ryota Yamamoto, JPN, 406
5. Johannes Lamparter, AUT, 405
13. Ilkka Herola, FIN, 195
18. Eero Hirvonen, FIN, 149
34. Leevi Mutru, FIN, 22
45. Otto Niittykoski, FIN, 11
Ladies:
1. Gyda Westvold Hansen, NOR, 500 points (won all five races)
2. Nathalie Armbruster, GER, 310
3. Lisa Hirner, AUT, 300
4. Annika Sieff, ITA, 290
5. Ida Marie Hagen, NOR, 251
17. Minja Korhonen, FIN, 66
29. Alva Thors, FIN, 20
33. Annamaija Oinas, FIN, 8