Virpi Sarasvuo has been a model and mental support for Jasmi Joensuu. Now they have both achieved the small crystal balls of the cross -country ski sprint.
Jasmmi Joensuu secured the Sprint Cup victory in sixth place in Tallinn’s free ski sprint. The victory of Sprint Cup is quite rare in Finnish, as the last and only time before it won it Virpi Kuitunen (now Sarasvuo) in 2006–07.
“It was high that a little ball from the sprinting club would go back to Finland again,” Sarasvuo told Sports.
– After all, this has been expected and it has been great to look at Jasmin’s development this season. The work done has produced the result that such a ball can be achieved.
Joensuu has often raised Sarasvuo as he has considered this as a role model. The former master skier has also helped him over the years.
Sarasvuo himself considers his own role to be small and raises the athlete’s active background to make a larger job. However, he is pleased that he has been able to play a role in Joensuu’s career.
– Let’s say I’ve been a number on the phone. If there is a need to call, he can call. When I was sportsing in time, I didn’t really have anyone at an athlete of previous seasons or generations to whom I could have called. That’s why I wanted to be such a possible partner.
According to Sarasvuo, the duo played more closely when Joensuu returned to Finland from the University of Denver five years ago. Today, they communicate and play from time to time. Sarasvuo understands better than well that when the “rally is on” and things go smoothly, the need will decrease.
– That’s just a sign that everything goes great then.
A clear cause of raising the level
Joensuu has raised its level, especially this winter. He has established his level in the sprint at the finals level and has captured the first prize moneyers. In December, he was second in Toblach’s free skiing sprint and won Cogne’s traditional skiing pair with Kerttu Niskanen at the end of January.
According to Sarasvuo, the level of raising the level is that Joensuu has got a tough sprint and his endurance fitness has improved. It has been reflected in the normal journey and in the fact that Joensuu has withstand the tough skiing of the batch.
Sprint is often perceived as a sport of young people to join international competitions, but Sarasvuo recalls that the species has developed significantly. Once upon a time, when the trips were shorter, the speed features were emphasized. Today, a good sprint skier must be extremely versatile, he must have durability and the ability to endure hard travel.
– If I was thinking about bringing the previous ball to Finland, then it was, especially on the women’s side, so that the same skiers did well in both sprint and normal. The speed of the normal journey is so high that the skier must have a reserve reserve, Sarasvuo said.
– With some endurance shots, it may become an obstacle during the qualifying phase.
An important step in the prize position
It took a long time for the 28-year-old Joensuu before he could achieve his first prize. He has had a lot of misfortune in the past because he has broken the rods or fell in tight situations.
Sarasvuo thinks that there has often been some explanatory factor in falls, but Joensuu has learned of them. He believes that the first prize will also break a certain gate.
– It’s a big step when you grab the first podium from there. Then, as if it shows to himself that he belongs to him.
Now that Joensuu has taken a personal prize, winning the World Cup with Kerttu Niskanen and a Sprint Cup for a little crystal, where can he still reach? Virpi Sarasvuo hopes that the level raises will continue.
– Hopefully this winning crystal ball creates the belief that the work has produced results and now that his basic level is better, maybe those prize positions can start a little more regularly.