Finnish female cross-country skiers performed well on a wide front at the Beitostölen World Cup. The crown of the race weekend were Kerttu Niskanen victory in the 10 kilometer traditional race as well Johanna Matintalo third place in the traditional sprint.
Sports expert Toni Roponen was quite satisfied with the weekend.
– Beitostölen’s tracks are the first tracks that in some way correspond to value competition tracks, Roponen said in Urheilustudio.
The previous weekend the World Cup was contested in Lillehammer and those races were skied on really easy slopes. According to Roponen, Ruka also has very exceptional tracks compared to race tracks.
– That’s why this weekend told the most about where Finnish cross-country skiing is going at the moment. It was great to see that there were successes on a really broad front, Roponen said and singled out Johanna Matintalo above all.
– Johanna was the biggest surprise. He was able to be at a high level on all three days.
On Friday, Matintalo took the second award place of his career in the sprint of the traditional skiing method by being third, on Saturday he put aside his best result of the normal distances by finishing fifth in the 10 kilometer traditional skiing race. On Sunday, Matintalo had a strong opening leg in the mixed relay, bringing Finland from the top to the exchange.
You shouldn’t worry about Iivo Niskas
On the men’s side, the Finns currently lack a spearhead, when Iivo Niskanen is still recovering from the corona virus. Although Niskanen has not yet been able to open his World Cup season, Roponen is not worried about the situation of the Finnish men’s first team.
– Iivo Niskanen has won Olympic gold in the three previous Olympics, and he said quite clearly in the spring that he has a slightly more relaxed approach to next year’s training, Roponen reminded.
– It will take some time before he is in such a rush that we can enjoy his performances. But at the latest in Planica, Iivo will certainly be excellent on the 50-kilometer distance.
In an interview with Viaplay on Saturday, Iivo Niskanen said that he has already reached the track, but the competitions will have to wait.
– If we go to the Games, then there must be a feeling that we can do well there and not just ski, said Niskanen For Viaplay (you switch to another service).
Niskanen plans to do a mat test next week, if everything goes well. That test tells you more precisely what the situation is. During his career, Niskanen has done so many control exercises and tests that he knows what state he needs to be in to succeed.
– The sights are on the World Cup and everything will be put into play there. Last season, Korona would have been even more upset, the Beijing Olympic champion stated.
World Cup personal overall situation after 8/32 competitions:
Ladies:
1. Tiril Udnes Weng, Norway, 690 points
2. Frida Karlsson, Sweden, 588
3. Jessica Diggins, USA, 538
4. Katharina Hennig, Germany, 492
5. Maja Dahlqvist, Sweden, 478
6. Krista Pärmäkoski, 470
…
8. Kerttu Niskanen, 424
16. Jasmi Joensuu, 313
18. Johanna Matintalo, 257
38. Jasmin Kähärä, 153
39. Katri Lylynperä, 147
42. Anni Alakoski, 132
44. Anne Kyllönen, 122
59. Hilla Niemelä, 73
61. Amanda Saari, 71
67. Maaret Pajunoja, 54
70. Eveliina Piippo, 50
76. Anni Kainulainen, 31
82. Eevi-Inkeri Tossavainen, 20
90. Anni Lindroos, 8
97. Heli Heiskanen, 4
100. Fanny Kukonlehto, 3
Gentlemen:
1. Pål Golberg, Norway, 756
2. Johannes Hösflot Kläbo, Norway, 430
3. Martin Löwström Nyenget, Norway, 426
4. Federico Pellegrino, Italy, 398
5. Richard Jouve, France, 370
…
22. Perttu Hyvärinen 202
24. Joni Mäki 186
25. Remi Lindholm 180
26. Lauri Lepistö 178
36. Markus Vuorela 145
39. Niilo Moilanen 127
42. Lauri Vuorinen 120
67. Lauri Mannila 73
72. Juuso Haarala 62
81. Ville Ahonen’s 52
91. Niko Anttola 45
108. Emil Liekari 24
115. Joonas Sarkkinen 15
117. Verneri Poikonen 13
121. Ike Melnits 11
126. Olli Ahonen 8
128. Wiljam Mattila 7
132. Väinö Kotro 4