Johanna Matintalo cried

Johanna Matintalo broke down in tears at the media interview area on Wednesday in Toblach.

– I injured my leg quite badly during training, Matintalo said.

The health problem happened about 20 minutes before the 15-kilometer traditional pursuit at the Tour de Ski, when the Finn was warming up on skis.

– The same problem as in November. It has been really good all December, until now it came again.

Matintalo said before the Ruka World Cup that he has a muscle injury in his right leg.

– I’ve had a bad cramp in my leg and some minor muscle damage, the woman from Rovaniemi said in November.

You have to press

The leg cramped on Wednesday, and the Finn was not sure if he would be able to compete.

– At the starting line, I didn’t know how I would survive the first five-kilometer lap, let alone the entire race.

Matintalo, who started the race from 24th place, made it to the finish line and was in the place according to his starting number.

– It doesn’t matter how much I stayed in the bow, when the other leg could not be used with full weight. I am satisfied that I even made it to the finish line.

The Finn’s departure to the top To Astrid Slind was 4.35.6. At the start, the difference was 2.08.

– Of course, my leg hurt during the race. In November, the pains were worse. Then I couldn’t put weight on my leg.

The Tour continues on Friday in Val di Fiemme with a traditional sprint. It is Matintalo main trip on this tour.

– If a day off would help and you could continue in Fiemme. I had to try to race on Wednesday, because otherwise I wouldn’t have been able to continue the Tour.