The Finnish riders have familiarized themselves with the sprint track in Planica. It’s a twisty course with a long, uphill section that the Finns believe could suit them well.
The Finnish women’s sprint team is Jasmi Joensuu, Anne Kyllönen, Jasmin Kähärä and Johanna Matintalo. The men’s side consists of Ville Ahonen, Niilo Moilanen, Joni Mäki and Lauri Vuorinen.
The Finns who have the best chance of making it are Johanna Matintalo and Joni Mäki, who have both reaped success on sprint distances. Matintalo believes that the women’s women’s sprint elite is very even, which makes the outcome uncertain.
– There are many early favourites, but there is also a wide range at the front and many have the opportunity to go far. Much also depends on the day’s form and the skis, such small things that can mean a lot in the end.
“Hopefully it will continue”
Matintalo has spent about a week in Planica and so far has been able to keep his emotions in check. But she admits that she experiences butterflies in her stomach like this the day before the competition. In the quarter-finals at the latest, she wants to find a flow in her skating.
– From the quarter-finals onward, it must start rolling if it is to start rolling. Hopefully that is exactly what is happening.
In the World Cup competition in Toblach, things did not go well for the Finnish team in the relay. The team of Matintalo, Krista Pärmäkoski, Emmi Lämsä and Anne Kyllönen finished in fourth place, but were over three minutes behind winning Norway.
– It was the worst competition of the season, even the worst competition in many years if I’m being completely honest. But after a few hard training sessions, the body has functioned normally now, so I hope we won’t experience another flop, says Matintalo.
Challenging course
Joni Mäki’s season has been varied if you look at the results lists. The conditions for tomorrow’s sprint are perhaps not the best either, as he has felt a bit cold during the last few days. At the interview microphone, however, nothing is noticeable.
– It will be exciting to see how it goes. I have been preparing in Vuokatti and the training has been going well. If I ride my best race of the season, it could be really good.
Joni Mäki believes that the track in Planica will suit him.
Image: Lehtikuva
Joni Mäki, WC in Nordic skiing 2023
Both Matintalo and Mäki emphasize that the track is winding and that it can be difficult to advance in the field. However, they have a chance to get past opponents on the rising hill at the end of the course, before heading down towards the race.
Something that differs from the last championships is that the audience is once again welcome to the arena, which pleases many of the Finnish sprinters.
– It will be fun, it has been so quiet in the stands in recent years. It’s fun that family and friends come and watch, says Mäki.
Qualifying in the WC sprint starts at 1 p.m. and the final session starts at 3:30 p.m.
Matias Strandvall sets the pace on the sprint course in Planica: “Multifaceted climbs”
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