The Ski Federation plans to establish a super sprint series in Finland. The Finns are also taking the sport to international tracks.
Interest in sprint races has grown in Finland. Picture from last season’s Stadionsprint. KIMMO BRANDT/EPA/AOP
On March 22, extraordinary skiing competitions will be held at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium.
Before the Stadion Sprint, familiar from last year, only 400 and 100 meter distances are contested. On the line are Finnish skiers who have won medals at the World Youth Championships, the European Youth Winter Olympic Festival and the Universiade.
– A quarter sprint is like a 400 meter run. There are track equalizations, and everyone goes their own way from the start to the finish. After that, there is 100m skiing, the commercial manager of the Ski Federation Jari-Pekka Jouppi tells.
– We want to show those present and TV viewers new sports and highlight successful young people.
Jari-Pekka Jouppi wants more super sprints for Finland and the world. Tomi Natri / AOP
The previous week, the Vantaa Ski Association will organize a super sprint for 6-12 year olds and a national super sprint competition at the Olympic Stadium. Jasmi to Joensuu the junior competition bearing the name is only 80 meters long.
The skiing association’s enthusiasm for short competition distances is related to a survey conducted for licensed skiers under the age of 18.
– They were asked what kind of trips you would like to ski. 64 percent answered that sprinting. Perhaps it describes the hectic pace of today’s society, which can be seen in skiing as well.
Your own series?
The supersprint will be skied in March at the Olympic Stadium. KIMMO BRANDT/EPA/AOP
Supersprints have been skied at least in Espoo, Vantaa, Kokkola and Valkeakoski. According to Joup, the number of participants in express trips is clearly increasing.
A supersprint cup may be contested in Finland as early as next winter, which would consist of 3–4 races. Several localities have expressed their desire to host the competition.
– I still don’t know if the resources are enough. The recession has put the sponsorship side in such a mess that I don’t remember seeing anything like this for a while. We will probably decide what the situation looks like in April.
Cross-country competition boss of the International Ski Federation Fis Michal Lamplot told Iltalehte last year that supersprint is not being brought to the international summit.
Jouppi contacted Fisi after the statement. According to him, nothing is certain yet.
– Fisi has no policy that there won’t be a super sprint. When I told them that this had been discussed, they replied that it had not been decided. Discussions are starting to take place about it.
National team member included
The straight push is the fastest way to progress in the fastest supersprint. Picture from last year’s Stadionsprint. KIMMO BRANDT/EPA/AOP
In Joup’s opinion, supersprint is an addition that makes skiing more versatile. When there is little snow, it is easier to make a run of a hundred meters than many kilometers.
At least from the Finnish national team skiers Verneri Suhonen has competed in the sport. International stars from Switzerland Nadine Fähndrich is fond of supersprint.
– A fast 100-meter race is also a different TV product than a distance race as an intermediate start, even though skiers like them. In Supersprint, you can combine modern technology, such as music and effects, Jouppi characterizes.
– I claim that this concept is taking over the industry even more. We are watching the future.
The supersprint can be skied in freestyle, traditional or just straight push.