The relay part of the World Cup in Toblach was too much for sprint junior world champion Niilo Moilasen.
For a moment, the men’s skiing World Cup has never seen a similar blackout from a Finnish athlete Niilo Moilanen21, was injured on February 5 in Toblach in the 4×7.5 kilometer relay.
– I drifted into the oncoming lane in the second lap, so to speak. The first round felt good and I thought I could have a good performance, Moilanen recalls.
The race covered a 3.75 kilometer track. Moilanen, who was the skier of the first part of the Finnish second team, was in a reasonable position in the opening run, but in the second round, in the gentle uplands, the man’s progress slowed down drastically. He lost the section to the fastest Norwegian To Erik Valnes 1.18,5.
– There was a total breakdown and it was a struggle for survival to the finish line. I’m sure I’ve never blacked out so badly before. It didn’t feel very good. My back also cramped a little.
How did you recover?
– Had to do a good final warm-up. It was difficult when there was a trip home right after the competition. When at home you calmed down through aerobic exercise and rest, you recovered from it, Moilanen answers.
For the maiden voyage
Finland’s head coach Teemu Pasanen gave instructions to Niilo Moilanen (left) during the World Cup training in Planica. PASI LEISMA
On Thursday in Planica, Moilanen will make his value race debut at the men’s level, when the program will feature a traditional sprint.
– Expectant atmospheres. Thursday is a holiday. Yes, it’s starting to get a little tense. The last few days time has passed slowly while waiting to be able to finish.
The Pyhäjärvi Pohti Ski Team skier, who prepared for the World Championships in Kuopio, finished eighth in the traditional sprint of the Beitostölen World Cup in December. This performance brought the WC ticket.
– I hope I could continue where I left off at the World Championships. You have to trust yourself and do your own good work, and not try to perform miracles.
Moilanen is the traditional sprint youth world champion from Vuokatti from 2021.
The large skiing public is eagerly waiting for the top level to be found in the men’s series as well.
– Realistically, it’s not necessarily the time for me to be a podium-level skier yet, Moilanen comments.
– Of course, that level is the goal. The next Olympics in 2026 will have a butt sprint. It is a very important event in terms of making results. If the training is successful and the development continues, then in principle the potential should be measured out there, he continues.
The young man’s biggest areas of development are in pushing and coping.