The weekend’s FM cross-country competitions concluded on Sunday with sprint competitions. Both on the women’s and men’s side, it was a tight battle for the Finnish championships.
The preliminary favorites delivered before the final stage and thus almost all the sprint cannons had to compete for the FM medals in the finals.
The women’s final was a real thriller. Top tipped Katri Lylynperä looked to be rocking initially, but battled on and suddenly gained a lot of ground at the end.
Lylynperä had to settle for the victory with Johanna Matintalo in the race. Matintalo was slightly sharper and beat Lylynperä by 0.2 seconds.
– It was a stressful competition. Katri came like a rocket at the end. I was cut off at the finish line when I realized that she is challenging and breathing down my neck, says Matintalo in Yle’s interview.
Katri Lylynperä, Johanna Matintalo and Jasmin Kähärä on the podium.
Image: Lehtikuva / Antti Aimo-Koivisto
Katri Lylynperä, Johanna Matintalo, Jasmin Kähärä
There was also a tight duel for the bronze medal between Jasmin Kähärä and Anne Kyllönen, who had the lead for a long time during the final. It was Kähärä who took the bronze with a margin of 0.06 seconds to Kyllönen.
On the women’s side, Frida Häggkvist from Närpes Kraft impressed. She made it to the semifinal stage where she finished sixth in the first heat.
Hakola’s tactics worked
A top tipped men’s sprinter was eliminated in the semi-final stage, as the 21-year-old Niilo Moilanen managed only a fifth place in the first and high-profile semi-final.
The men’s final looked different from the women’s final. Ristomatti Hakola pushed the plate into the mat even before the race was halfway and gained a substantial lead.
– Ristomatti Hakola gives the form message we were hoping for, stated Yle Sporten’s commentator Chriso Vuojärvi.
At the end, the pre-favourite Joni Mäki put into his top gear and was able to challenge Hakola on the finish line. Hakola still managed to keep Mäki behind him and the margin of victory was one hundredth.
– I tried a slightly different tactic. I got the advice from the old fox Matu (Matias Strandvall), says Hakola in the victory interview.
– It’s always nice to win FM gold. It’s rarely this tight at home. This was fun.
Medal winners Joni Mäki, Ristomatti Hakola and Lauri Lepistö are interviewed.
Image: Lehtikuva / Antti Aimo-Koivisto
Joni Mäki, Ristomatti Hakola, Lauri Lepistö
Joni Mäki didn’t sound particularly disappointed even though he had to settle for silver.
– I gave a bit too big a lead up the hill. But I managed a surprisingly good final sprint, says Mäki.
For the top racers, world cup competitions await in Les Rousses in a week. In two weeks, the competition will be held in Toblach and on February 23, the first WC medals will be at stake in Planica.
Mäki says he is going to Les Rousses while Hakola has not yet decided.
Results, ladies
1. Johanna Matintalo 3.46,64
2. Katri Lylynperä +0.12
3. Jasmin Kähärä +1.64
4. Anne Kyllönen +1.70
5. Anni Kainulainen +3.29
6. Amanda Saari +5.74
Results, gentlemen
1. Ristomatti Hakola 3.16.00
2. Joni Mäki +0.01
3. Lauri Lepistö +1.58
4. Lauri Vuorinen +4.90
5. Olli Ahonen +6.36
6. Juuso Mattila +6.59
