An expert tells how the infamous Ruka World Cup Impilinna descent must come down.
Cross mat Hakola drove into a guard post and broke his ribs. Swedish Anna Dyvik head hit the ground: concussion as a result. of the USA by Noah Hoffman fractured fibula and torn ligament.
There have been an exceptional number of injuries on the Impilinna slope of the Ruka World Cup track.
– Few places have that type of bill. The platform is a bit uneven and variable. Iltalehti’s skiing expert analyzes the biggest challenge when you go down after a steep climb, and the soreness in your thighs Pirjo Muranen.
Changes
This is what it looks like in Impilinna. Pasi Liesimaa
After Hakola’s severe injury, Impilinna’s landing was made easier for the 2022 Games, but even then there were numerous falls. One of those who got stuck in the rear was Remi Lindholm.
– The bill is a bit surprising. It comes quite directly and seems to drop, Muranen says.
In his peak career, he was a fearless calculator who slid down from Impilinna with the organ open.
– You have to be brave and know how to read the ground, where there is ice and where there is soft. The slope should go without plowing – boldly speed up and cut from the outside to the inside, the world champion who ended his professional career in 2011 guides.
“Too big troll”
Remi Lindholm fell in Impilinna in 2022. PASI LEISMA
On Friday, we will go to Impilinna for the opening of the World Cup, when in Koilsmaa, as usual, 10 kilometers will be raced in the traditional way as an intermediate start.
– Impilinna didn’t scare me. I saw myself as a very good calculator and I found courage, says Muranen.
In Ruka, the beginning of the week was skied in clear freezing weather. Impilinna has been mostly in good condition.
Rainy weather is expected on Friday. It knows additional challenges to Impilinna, because there will probably be both heavy snow and ice on the track section. Someone is bound to fall.
– The bill has perhaps been made into an unnecessarily big troll. There are also demanding bills in the world. Yes, professionals should manage Impilinna.
Favorites
The horror curves have protective fences. Pasi Liesimaa
The women’s 10s has only one favorite on Friday: Ebba Andersson.
– Frida Karlsson didn’t convince last weekend at the Swedish Cup in Jällivaara, so Norway will be Andersson’s toughest challengers.
In the men’s suit, too, according to the expert, there is one above the others.
– It’s boring to say that it is Johannes Klæbo. At Martin Nyengeti is a good balance from Ruka from previous years.
Nyenget won in 2023 and was third in both 2024 and 2022.
Ruka’s king is five wins Iivo Niskanen.
– I don’t think Niskanen will win. If he has opened up his body in a week, Niskanen can do almost miracles even in a short period of time, then he could get on the podium, commented the expert.
The women’s race in Ruka starts on Friday at 11:30 a.m. and the men’s 10-kilometer traditional timed start at 2:15 p.m.
Skiers have a speed of more than 40 kilometers per hour. Pasi Liesimaa
Ristomatti Hakola was injured in 2021. Pasi Liesimaa