The Olympic winner’s prediction about the Finn went badly wrong.
Saga Vanninen’s early season has been difficult. Atte Kajova
Heptathlon SE woman Saga Vanninen started Götzis’ legendary all-around event sluggishly.
After the opening day on Saturday, Vanninen is 15th in the competition with 3610 points. He ran the 100-meter hurdles in a time of 13.80, jumped a height of 177, shot put 13.64 and ran 200 meters in a time of 24.83. After four events, Vanninen is 200 points behind his record streak.
The Finn’s coach, Olympic decathlon champion Erki Nool, was especially surprised by the shot put, which has been one of the competitor’s strengths.
– Hurdling was not easy for Saga. I knew it when only five fences have been run in training. The height was Saga’s best sport of the day, even though the run didn’t go well at the beginning. Kuula was a surprise for me. I predicted a result of 14.80, says Nool in the announcement of the Athletics Federation.
– Kuula’s performances were as calm as in technique practice. For that, Saga needs more explosive power that would bring self-confidence. 200 meters was surprisingly bad for me. In the exercises, the average level has been better.
Vanninen’s season has been difficult. He skipped the WC indoor competitions in the spring and decided to focus on the outdoor season. In the SM halls, Vanninen only competed in individual sports, not in a match.
Another Finn at record speed
Competing in the same competition as Vannine in Austria Enni Virjonen on the other hand, is on record. After the opening day, he is tenth with 3733 points and 165 points ahead of his record streak.
Virjonen, 19, ran his 100m record 13.44 against the wind, jumped 174 in high jump, shot put 13.95 and ran 200 meters in 24.04.
– There were some technical challenges at the height. The jumps were a little different, but the third jump from a height of 177 was good, coach Petra Virjonen analyzed in the press release.
– The ball was quite good. A couple of thrusts slipped, but one succeeded and that’s enough.
The heptathlon continues on Sunday.
