The battle for first place in women’s ski trips is heating up after the end of Therese Johaug’s career. Krista Pärmäkoski reminds that Finns should not be humiliated.
- Krista Pärmäkoski takes a stand on the position of Russian athletes.
- The upcoming World Cup season is a record long one.
- There is room at the top after Johaug ends his career.
Krista Pärmäkoski career continuation is a constant topic of discussion in skiing circles.
It has been guessed that the Finnish star would put the ski bag on the nail this spring. However, Pärmäkoski made a contract with the ski team Madshus, which according to Iltalehti’s information extends until the Olympic year 2026.
Can we conclude from this that you will continue until the Milan–Cortina Games?
– Let’s go one season at a time. That’s how it’s agreed. No conclusions can be drawn, the skier mumbles.
In the coming season, the Finns’ chances for the podium will be even better, because they have dominated the tracks Therese Johaug ended his career.
Most likely, Russian and Belarusian athletes will not ski in international competitions either.
– It is a good decision not to let them in now. The situation can be reviewed later, Pärmäkoski says.
The Olympic medalist believes that Johaug’s absence will significantly change the combined start competitions. She calculates that ten women will fight for the top positions in the World Cup and World Championships.
– There is no longer a group breaker, so solutions are made at the end. There is no such superior woman. The level is wider, just like on the men’s side.
A place of success
Krista Pärmäkoski is aiming for the Tour de Skille and the World Championships. Matti Matikainen
Men and women will ski the same distances in the World Cup in the future. The women’s longest race is 50 kilometers instead of 30 kilometers.
The program also includes sprints, 10 and 20 kilometers and a 10+10 kilometer combined race.
– At first, I thought that the reform would not affect women terribly, because 50 kilometers are only skied after the World Championships. Then I noticed that there are surprisingly many 20 kilometer races on the calendar. The load capacity increases. You have to think about how many races you can ski.
There will be a record number of World Cup competitions this coming winter. There are 30 individual starts and five team races.
Pärmäkoski knows that you can’t ski everything. His main goals are the Tour de Ski and the World Championships in Planica.
Pärmäkoski does not take a position on how long the career will continue. Matti Matikainen
The Finn has fond memories of Planica, as he celebrated the victory of the World Cup’s 10 km traditional race on the same terrain in 2018. However, the tracks are not the same at the World Cup.
– I really liked the 2018 tracks. The terrain is more gentle than at the Olympics, but there are long uphill sections. I like that we go for oxygen.
Humiliation must stop
Kerttu Niskanen (right) celebrated the free thirty medal in Beijing alongside Therese Johaug and Jessie Diggins. PASI LEISMA
At the World Championships, the 10-kilometer race and the pair relay are held in freestyle skiing, while traditional is considered the stronger style for Finns.
Pärmäkoski reminds us that this is not necessarily the case.
– That harassment can be stopped. I skied at the Korean Olympics with a medal in the free and Kerttu Niskanen In Beijing at thirty. Iivo Niskanen solved the combined competition with free. Finnish skiing also has freestyle skills. You shouldn’t go out humiliating yourself.
Johaug’s absence also changes the balance of power in the Free Games.
– He was the most dominant free skier, so this opens up opportunities for others.
Men and women do not ski the same distances in the World Championships. It’s a good thing about Pärmäkoski.
– I’m thankful. You don’t need to fill up with energy and fluids for 30 kilometers, but you do for fifty. Even during the race, you have to think differently about how to get energy into your body.
The tester changes
The familiar tester from Pärmäkoski is no longer participating in the domestic competitions. Matti Matikainen
Last season he worked as a ski tester for the Finnish star Maaret Pajunoja. Now the situation is changing, when Pajunoja travels only to the world cup competitions organized in Finland.
In addition to work, Pajunoja invests in his own skiing career.
– I understand that he wants another change. Last season was the best of Maaret’s career. I think he still wants to try his wings. Hopefully, a small step will come, that he will travel to other competitions and will be able to help Pärmäkoski smile.
Pärmäkoski opens its season at the Olos cannonball competition on 11.–13. November. The World Cup starts in Ruka two weeks later.