In his recent book, Petter Kukkonen describes in detail the costume struggle of the previous two winters.
Petter Kukkonen was the head coach of the Finnish national team in the seasons 2012–22. PASI LEISMA
– We fought quite hard with FIS behind the scenes all winter. At that time, it was even demanded that the Finnish team be excluded from the Ramsau World Cup.
That’s how you remember Petter Kukkonen through 2020–21.
Kukkonen and hill coach of the combined team Falko Krismayr were the centerpieces of the costume show. The public starting shot was seen and heard in Ruka when Kukkonen conceded In Ilta-Sanomi’s story The Finnish team cheated in the body measurements.
– In the fall of 2020, rumors began to circulate that the rules will now be stretched quite aggressively, Kukkonen told Iltalehte.
– We joined the game and decided to try it. Just as quickly, hands were raised that this cannot continue like this.
You can cheat, for example, by marching into the measurement situation with stuffing in your underpants. In this way, the maximum surface area determined by the measurer for the suit can be increased and the load-bearing capacity improved.
– What I heard from the world, only imagination was the limit. There were some kind of skin-mounted implants and fabric fillings sewn into the underwear.
Lever arm
Kukkonen thoroughly explores the problem and struggle with mountain clothes in his new book. There are new, very sharp corners.
Among other things, Kukkonen says that Kirsmayr received a phone call threatening to “set the big guns in motion” if the Finns don’t “stop now”.
– It shows that many countries are quite sensitive, Kukkonen sees.
– Especially on the hill side, there are huge partner incomes and TV contracts. There, many guys must have started to worry about whether they would be dragged into such a mess.
In the following season, the Kukkonen–Kirsmayr duo, supported by Austrian lawyers, created a plan, which was modeled after the 2019 World Cup in Seefeld.
Kukkonen describes the material collected by his team as “explosive”.
– It was emphasized that you must not tell anyone, not even the wives. That would have been huge casethe same style as in skiing (2019), because the ski jump would of course have been drawn along the same route.
The core of the plan was to get the Austrian authorities to seize the case.
– Competition manipulation is strictly prohibited in their legislation, Kukkonen clarifies.
– Innsbruck prosecutor’s office already took case but in the end it was announced that there is too little preparation time.
According to Kukkonen, the Finns hinted in the direction of FIS that the media might be very interested in the collected material and readiness for a legal battle.
– Discussions took place behind closed doors. Yes, they (FIS) also understand the challenge, but the topic is sensitive.
Kukkonen took his team to the Beijing Olympics with confidence. He thought that after the meeting, the Finns’ “huge legs, jump suits that tickle the top of the rules bars” would hardly be caught in the FIS measurement.
– A small lever arm was used.
“Still far away”
Kukkonen currently follows winter sports as an expert for Yle. He has seen a little light in the costume game.
– The most egregious excesses have clearly decreased. We have taken steps in the right direction, but we are still far from where we should be.
One of the goals of Kukkonen’s book is to highlight grievances and make the sport fairer.
– It is clear that in elite sports the rules are stretched and a competitive advantage is sought, but the FIS should introduce clear limits and rejections into the game, he emphasizes.
– The system gives an advantage to big and rich countries. The sport should be so inexpensive and simple that any kind of equipment-related game does not become a challenge.
The athlete is in a difficult position.
– The starting point should not be that you have to break the rules in order to practice your own profession, Kukkonen insists.
– This is about the salary, work and dreams of athletes. Under no circumstances should they be exposed to an impossible choice.
Petter Kukkonen’s book The Anatomy of Disappointment (Docendo) will be published on February 21.