The Trinidad and Tobago skier fell in love with Finland.
– Finland is a fantastic country. It has a special place in my heart, skier Nicholas Lau praise.
Lau represents the exotic skiing country of Trinidad and Tobago. On Wednesday, he participated in the qualifiers that kicked off the World Championships.
The Caribbean-born skier has a surprising contact with Finland, as he has competed in Finland in 2017 and 2021. Lau skied in the winter of 2017 in Saukkovaara and Vuokatti in the same competitions as the current national team member Joni Mäen with.
How the hell did a Tobagoan end up in Finland?
– It was my first full winter season. I googled for Olympic level internships. The saucepan popped out, Lau laughs.
– There were great coaches and friends there. Warm people.
in Björgen’s doctrine
Ricardo Jay Lung likes Finland. PASI LEISMA
Lau was born in Trinidad and Tobago, but grew up in the United States. Nowadays he stays in Switzerland.
The skier has worked in Switzerland for the International Football Association for the World Cup.
In recent years, skiing has gone hand in hand with civilian work. Lau has received instructions from the top, as he has trained in Norway as an Olympic champion by Marit Björgen in guidance.
The meeting was arranged through the coach.
– It was fantastic to meet him. I appreciate that he makes time to share information with other athletes. I got technical tips. It was motivating. We skied traditional and straight push.
– I also got tips for sports life. You have to know your limits and listen to your body. The athlete receives a lot of advice, but makes the final decisions himself.
Lau is enthusiastic about stardom in the World Ski Championships. He hopes to meet his greatest hero, Johannes Kläbon.
– My coach has a lot of videos of Kläbo. I have taken his skiing as a model, but watching videos is different than watching them on the track.
– It was great to see how they go downhill or what their technique is like. I’m a big fan of Kläbo.
On the track in his fifties
Ricardo Jay Lung crashed twice. PASI LEISMA
On Wednesday, the oldest skier of the qualifiers was also competing, Ricardo Jay Lung.
The 53-year-old athlete was born in Panama, but grew up in the United States. He got to know skiing during the snowy winters of his childhood in Michigan.
However, Lung only started competing 5–6 years ago.
– I have two small sons and a day job as an engineer. During a pregnant week, I train for 11 hours.
He considered the warm conditions in Planica the most difficult in his career.
– I fell twice. It was difficult because the snow was so soft in the corners. It was difficult to lift the skis.