Heli, 19, represents Australia – This thing in Finland takes a week to get used to: “Funny”

China, Australia, Peru, Lebanon, Switzerland, Bolivia.

Several representatives of rare skiing countries competed in the Imatra Ski Championships on Saturday. The most participants were Chinese (3) and Peruvians (2).

He also stood out from the crowd Heli Laajoki19. Laajoki’s club is Tampereen Pyrintö, but despite the Finnish name, the representative country is Australia.

– My father is Finnish and my mother is Australian. I grew up in Australia. We have a summer vacation there now, so I came to Finland to ski, Laajoki said in English.

The question was how a young woman who grew up in Australia got excited about skiing.

– My father grew up skiing and my mother learned to ski with him. I started when I was 3-4 years old in Australia.

Laajoki, who is part of the Australian youth cross-country team, arrives in Finland to compete when it’s winter in the North. Now he was in Finland for the sixth time.

The skier praised Finns as friendly people. At least one thing seemed different compared to home.

– I love Finland, but this takes some getting used to. Small talk is funny to me. Every time I come to Finland, I have to get used to the first week. My father cooked Finnish food for me when I was little. Finland feels like my second home.

Laajoki studies Finnish. He understands and speaks the language somewhat.

– I speak Finnish, he says in Finnish and continues in English.

– The language is difficult. Everyone is kind, even if I make mistakes.

Hard to practice

Laajoki participated in the traditional 10 kilometers on Saturday. She was the 74th when 81 women started the journey.

For the Australian, the number of competitors was staggering.

– There are a total of 30 women and 40 men who compete in skiing in Australia. There were three women here! It seemed incomprehensible.

Laajoki was the only one in his school who knew how to ski. Many had not even heard of the sport.

Considering the training conditions, it’s no wonder. Australians can ski for a maximum of two months a year. There are ridden cross-country trails in only three places in the whole country.

– The southeastern parts of Australia are mountainous. It is the only area where it snows, but the snow is only high up. We train at an altitude of at least 1,700 meters above sea level.

– My home is a 2-6 hour drive to the slopes.

For the big games

Laajoki has competed all over the world. Based on the website of the international skiing association Fis, there is competition history from Finland and Australia as well as from Canada, Slovenia, Switzerland and Austria.

Last year, he represented Australia at the World Junior Championships. In the traditional ten, the ranking was 73rd.

– I have spent much less time on the snow than many skiers my age. I have a lot to improve, for example in terms of competition skills. I ski every weekend to gain experience in different tracks and snow conditions.

Laajoki enjoys competing. He would like to make it to the Adult World Cup or the World Championships as Australia’s representative.

At least Australian Rosie Fordham compete in the World Cup this season.

– I would like to be as fast. Fortunately, you don’t have to be at the top of the sport at a young age.