Eevi-Inkeri Tossavainen felt last winter that she was not interested in anything. Significant changes in everyday life brought relief.
Eevi-Inkeri Tossavainen talks about her significant difficulties. Pasi Liesimaa
– The surface was quite tense and there were quite dark thoughts about everything. I wasn’t interested in training or anything else in life. I was in deep water. Everything was challenging.
That’s how Finland’s young skiing star describes it Eevi-Inkeri Tossavainen22, about his experiences last winter.
Tossavainen’s name came to the lips of the skiing people in the spring and winter of 2023, when he won gold in the traditional sprint and bronze in the traditional 20 kilometers at the under-20 World Championships. In the Drammen World Cup sprint, he slipped from qualifying to the top 30 heats.
– I’ve always had tough goals. They became concrete in the Junior World Championships and I got to ski a few mc races. They looked like I could. It didn’t cause pressure, but it increased the desire.
Big challenges
Eevi-Inkeri Tossavainen’s name was on the lips of the skiing people in the spring and winter of 2023. PASI LEISMA
The 2023–24 season went wrong due to a spiral of illness and the resulting under-recovery. Before the previous ones, Lumia’s ankle was broken, and during the winter, a persistent viral disease struck the heart.
– During the last six years, all sorts of things have happened. It has been trouble and a challenge.
Physical problems possibly accelerated mental challenges. There were considerable sleep and nutrition problems.
– I took sleeping pills and still couldn’t get to sleep. I feel like I didn’t really eat food at all. When I didn’t sleep, I wasn’t really hungry. The body was completely messed up in every way.
Last spring, Tossavainen considered ending his skiing career.
Help was found
Mika Venäläinen is an experienced skiing expert. PASI LEISMA
– Things took a better turn surprisingly quickly in the spring. When one thing went well, another did too and I was able to break the negative cycle. Now it feels like things are getting better bit by bit, says Tossavainen.
The Vantaa Ski Club athlete who lived in Vuokatti packed his bags and ended the coaching relationship Ville Maunuskelan with. A new home nest was found in Kuopio. The coaching responsibility is transferred What and Kati Venäläinen.
Help was also found on the spiritual side.
– For several years I have used psychology and now I have also been in psychotherapy. I haven’t used any antipsychotics.
The basic training period 2025 was successful. The skier describes that under the guidance of the Russians he has found a “suitable way to train”.
– I haven’t been sick for a single day. When you have stayed healthy, all things motivate you in a completely different way. It feels like doing is useful.
Tossavainen estimates that life got back on track one basic thing at a time.
– Sleeping, eating and training to get in shape. I eat more and more often these days.
The skier seems calmer than before.
– Mika and Kati have brought peace.
Arousing promises
Tossavainen was among the top twelve on Saturday in the Ruka Finnish Cup sprint. Pasi Liesimaa
Tossavainen started his university studies in sports medicine in Kuopio.
– Maybe it’s not my thing. I have done so little studies that I wouldn’t call myself a student.
He calls himself a skier. On a bravura journey in the traditional sprint, Ruka took a promising twelfth place in the Suomen Cup on Saturday.
– Qualifying was a pretty tough bet. Didn’t really get anything out of it. The first round was ok and the semi-final ok minus.
Don’t be alone! Comprehensive support is available for mental health problems and suicidal thoughts. You can find information about support services by phone, online and face-to-face here.