Kerttu Niskanen withdraws from Sunday’s race – this is how the coach justifies

In Trondheim’s World Championships No medal medal has yet been distributed, but Finns have fallen from the line here and there.

Iivo Niskanen and Perttu Hyvärinen They are sick at home, and both are reported to be left behind at least on Saturday’s combination race.

Wednesday night was a matter of knowing that also Kerttu Niskanen Leaves 10+10 kilometers between Skiathlon. Women ski it on Sunday.

“We want to invest in 10 kilometers. Before that, there would have been only one day recovery from Skiathlon, ”Niskanen’s coach and husband Juho Mikkonen clarify.

Mikkonen underlines that Niskanen’s tough solution is not associated with health problems. The star skier arrived in Trondheim on Thursday.

Although Niskanen has traditionally been strong in the combination race, and he has not reached the top three in his career. It happened at the Falun World Cup in 2014.

On Tuesday, according to Mikkonen, the traditional 10-kilometer temporary start is a crystal clear main trip to Niskanen in the World Championship trondheim.

“Everything is done for it,” Mikkonen says.

“Of course, messages are also important.”

Parisprint is skiing immediately on Wednesday, a message on Thursday.

Neck In the traditional temporary departure, it is one of the strong medal candidates. The last time the trip was skied in the value races three years ago at the Beijing Olympics, Niskanen lost gold Therese johaugille only by 0.4 seconds.

However, Mikkonen does not now place the pre -favorite refers to Niskanen’s shoulders.

“If you look at the results of this season, then Kerttu is not a medal favorite. But the dozens of Pertsa are skiing so little. If you look at the results for two years, Kerttu is tough. ”

Niskanen has reached the podium this season in five personal competitions, but not in both traditional ten.

“Small things are decisive. You have to get top skiing, but above all, top equipment is below. Everything is possible. I believe that the dozen will be a tough race. When everyone skies alone, it’s the best for Kerttu, ”says Mikkonen.

Two weeks ago, at the Falun World Cup, Niskanen suddenly remained 10th on his bravura trip. According to Mikkonen, it is not worth drawing any conclusions.

“It came from high so late that Kerttu couldn’t adjust. Below was the only slightly tougher training clip of the season. ”

Falun Since then, Niskanen has been preparing for the World Cup at home in Sotkamo.

“There have been no problems. After Falun, he has been training at home. ”

Even on the shores of Lake Nuasjärvi, even every time they have been avoided.

“There was nothing else to go home than skiing outside. Even in the shop, the masks were only made once or a couple, when food was properly bought at once, ”says Mikkonen.

Mikkonen does not even remember when Niskanen would have had to skip the competition due to illness.

“Last season, one missed one due to stomach disease. But otherwise I don’t even remember. Sometimes before Korona maybe. ”

World Cup Starting on Thursday at free sprints at 11am.

Lauri Vuorinen, Joni Mäki, Niilo Moilanen and Emil Liekari are skiing in the men’s sprint.