Posted 16. October 2008 by Editor

Finnish Ski Jumping team begins new season in entirely new situation

July 9th was a particularly rousing day in Lahti, as over 12 000 supporters of Janne Ahonen were gathered together at the Salpausselkä pit to see their hero’s last competition jumps. Janne Ahonen has now morphed into civilian Ahonen for good.

Ahonen’s career finish left a big hole in the Finnish ski jumping team and the situation did not improve when Janne Happonen, after achieving an excellent jumping condition, fell badly during his training jump in Klingenthal in the end of June. The man cannot remember anything of the jump himself, though he is still suffering from the consequences. His knee ligaments have connected already, but the fractured thighbone will take a long time to heal, although Happonen was able to abandon the crutches in the last week of September. Healing of the injuries has progressed well, rehabilitation is well on its way and there are small hopes that Happonen would be able to join the World Cup –tour at the end of it.

Also Matti Hautamäki, one of the more experienced in the Finnish team, had an unusual summer season. “After the season came the time of reflecting: to continue or not. I took a complete break from jumping and concentrated on physical training. After that I started jumping from the beginning: in 60-meter hill. Training feels good now,” says Hautamäki, from whom anything can be expected on a good day as the new season dawns.

The third speciality in the Finnish ski jumping scene is Harri Olli, who is not in the team at all, despite of reaching victories in the FIS Summer Grand Prix tour, as well as taking the national summer championship in the end of September. He is absent due to personal problems, though will possibly return after solving them.

Janne Väätäinen, the head coach of the Finnish ski jumping team, emphasizes the change of generation in the national team during this and the next couple of seasons. “We have young boys in our team: Sami Niemi 17 and Ville Larinto 18, and others, like Sami Saapunki 14 and Jarkko Määttä 13, are joining in the future. They are not expected to show results until Vancouver in 2010. Naturally, we have experience on board, also: Matti Hautamäki, Janne Happonen, Arttu Lappi and so forth. These seasoned guys target at success right now, right here, which in Finnish ski jumping means a medal in the World Championships,” Väätäinen states and adds that the team endeavours to offer the jumpers the best possible preparing conditions, although the budget is tight.

Janne Väätäinen’s partner in the couching team is the experienced Pentti Kokkonen. Ville Kantee continues as the service manager. After ending his career four years ago he became interested in the world of competing again in July at his good friend Janne Ahonen’s farewell competition in Lahti. Also Ahonen is involved in the background team of the national team. His skills and experience in finishing and developing ski jumping suits are still in the team’s use.

Women’s ski jumping orientating

The Finnish women’s ski jumping is catching the wind, as a seven-girl group is forming. It is lead by an enthusiastic team with Heli Pomell -a jumper herself a few years back- responsible for coaching. In the grown-up level, next year’s Liberec World Championships as her goal, the sole competitor for Finland will be Juulia Kyykkänen, representing Lahden Hiihtoseura. Lauri Hakola, who only recently left his own national team career, is responsible for her coaching.


Finnish National Championsips

15.11.2008 Rovaniemi, normal hill
24. - 25.1.2009 Taivalkoski team competition
4.2.2009 Lahti, big hill













www.finnjumping.fi











Finnish Ski Jumping Team 2008-09

Men

Janne Happonen, Puijon Hiihtoseura
Matti Hautamäki, Puijon Hiihtoseura
Arttu Lappi, Puijon Hiihtoseura
Ville Larinto, Lahden Hiihtoseura
Sami Niemi, Ounasvaaran Hiihtoseura

Head Coach Janne Väätäinen, coach Pentti Kokkonen
Service manager: Ville Kantee

Ladies

Juulia Kykkänen, Lahden Hiihtoseura

Coach: Lauri Hakola

Vancouver Team 2008-09

Joonas Ikonen, Puijon Hiihtoseura
Mika Kauhanen, Puijon Hiihtoseura
Kai Kovaljeff, Lieksan Hiihtoseura
Olli Muotka, Ounasvaaran Hiihtoseura
Anssi Ylipulli, Ounasvaaran Hiihtoseura

Coach: Kari Pätäri