Ostrobothnia Esa Haapala was rooted in North Karelia and created the main place for Finnish biathlon in Kontiolahti.
When Kontiolahti first competed in the World Biathlon Cup in 1990, he was involved.
When a group of cross-country skiers will compete for the fifteenth time in the history of North Karelia this weekend, he will of course be involved.
A slightly lesser known officer to the general sports audience Esa Haapala is the most significant background influencer, that the location of 15,000 inhabitants in the middle of nowhere has become the Finnish main place for biathlon.
– In 1989, there was a Kontiolahti Athletes Development Seminar. The first long-term plan was then made for when to apply for the first World Cup and World Cup. The projects and development projects were successful sooner or later, and there were no decisive setbacks, Haapala recalls.
In 2003, he received a memorable email. The message read:
– Hi I’m Kaisa Mäkäräinen and I would like to start biathlon. I don’t have a gun, Haapala says.
He called the phone number in the message.
– We met in Kontiolahti and gave him my own weapon.
Soon Mäkäräinen’s parents get their daughter their own competition equipment.
– Kaisa came with the gun box and asked if I could assemble a gun. I wasn’t so vigilant, so I accidentally asked for help from the shooting world champion who was there From Kalle Leskinen. Kalle was supposed to have an hour, but they had three when Kaisa was so interested.
The athlete who moved from Kainuu to North Karelia refined to the top of his sport and cemented the Kontiolahti pile site.
– Kaisa Mäkäräinen was a huge thing for Kontiolahti, Haapala announces.
Northern blood
Born in Ilmajoki in 1945, Haapala attended primary and secondary school in Teuva, entered the conscript service and continued to the cadet school.
– I applied for and got a job in 1970 from the Jaeger Battalion of North Karelia, when it was a military department known for sports. I myself was involved in biathlon, athletics and orienteering.
The Finnish Championships in biathlon had been held in Kontiolahti’s Kontioranta in the 1960s, but the actual ascent to the sport center began after the Haapala war academy in 1979.
– The place was cleared with the support of business. And shooting ranges were obtained from the municipality.
During his military career, the man who was promoted to commander of the Karelian Jaeger Battalion networked with North Karelian decision-makers, especially on regional defense courses. It was easy for the business and political group to go to the relaxed but determined Haapala biathlon sled.
– I’m rooted here, it’s been 50 years. The wife was ready when we came to North Karelia. Our sons and daughters enjoyed themselves here, and we had no desire to go anywhere else.
Campfire and gas
Esa Haapala organized the 2015 World Championships, the financial affairs of which were later investigated by the police. No charges were brought. MIKA KANERVA
Haapala retired from the Finnish Defense Forces in 1997 and became the leader of the 1999 World Biathlon Championships.
The event will be remembered for decades after a severe frost that was tried to be quenched by quite imaginative means.
– Campfires were put on the track, a gas heater at the shooting range and helicopters tried to break the air. There was a message from Germany to put the coke on fire.
It didn’t help, but some of the races had to be postponed.
– The laws of physics proved to be true that heat rises straight up.
Golden sign
Mr. biathlon can skillfully handle people and make people believe in a common cause. There has been talk of leadership with soft values.
This is somewhat at odds with the leadership training of the Defense Forces in decades.
– I think I was a proper trainer in the Defense Forces, and that was not my job. I have tried to appreciate all the people who are stewards. I had the slogan that there is a future for seniors. There are no sporting events without seniors.
Haapala has been awarded the title of Sports Adviser and has been chosen as the developer of the year in his province. The honorary chairman of the Biathlon Association and Kontiolahti Athletes is also on the title line.
The golden medal of the IBU of the International Biathlon Association is the first Finn to warm the mind the most. The official title of the title is The IBU medal of Honor in gold. He served for a total of 13 years as a member of the IBU Technical Committee and chair of the Competition Committee.
“Suspension of Kontiolahti”
In 2015, Kontiolahti hosted the last World Championships. The financial affairs of the event led to a dirty dispute.
The case progressed to a police preliminary investigation.
– It was pretty defamatory. We had everything perfectly done and without any fraudulent accounting as well as plans.
A few Finnish biathlon activists made public criticism of the Haapala crew in Iltalehti’s case. There was talk of “Kontiolahti pissing”
– I was used to their way. But to let them blame, it’s not worth arguing. Eripura was related to the fact that they wanted Lahti to host the Finnish Games. The World Biathlon Cups are significant events in terms of visibility and if they succeed, they will become a small return.
After the preliminary investigation, the case was not prosecuted, but rumors of an intermediate bet remained alive.
– Rumors are not true, they are fantasies, Haapala says.
– Now I think the atmosphere has calmed down. If I see people who have criticized me, I shake hands and greet, he continues.
Decisive decision
Esa Haapala has two children and five grandchildren. The grandchild was accompanied by his grandson Aaro Haapala. Santtu Silvennoinen
The last time Haapala was at the helm of the World Cup was in 2017, when Kontiolahti applied for and received a race denied from Tyumen, Russia.
– Many saw risks when there was so little time to organize. I felt it was a great opportunity. I asked a few creditors if they would join. And they left.
In 2022, the solution was ingenious, as it has established Kontiolahti’s position as the host of the World Cup. Next December will be the fourth consecutive season of competition in North Karelia. The 2027 World Cup looks likely.
– Hopefully the athletes will develop and make it to the medal of value. I also hope that the place develops. The conditions and accommodation for athletes should be improved. Not hundreds of hotel rooms, but dozens.
Miles and falls
The biggest hope for success next season is Tero Seppälä, in the development of which Haapala has its fingers in the game. Of course.
He founded the North Karelia Biathlon Support Association a year ago and hired a Russian top coach Anatoly Hovantsevin. Seppälä has been significantly refined under the direction of Hovantsev.
– The support association employs me. In my free time I try to move around, hunt, read and go to the cottages. When you have not been able to travel due to the corona, it would make sense to visit different race venues.
During this season, the veteran has covered less than 500 kilometers. The previous deer loss is more than a year old.