A great performance from Olli Hiidensalo – wife Elisa was surprised: “I’ve never seen it before”

Milan-Cortina at the Olympics, a real Finnish bang was seen on Tuesday, when Olli Hiidensalo was really close to bronze in biathlon normal distance competition.

Hiidensalo, 35, shot all 20 shots in the competition, and his skiing speed was enough for fourth place. The difference to the bronze medal was 31.4 seconds.

Hiidensalo’s wife Elisa Hiidensalo followed her husband’s advances at home in Lohja. The teacher’s working day ended just in time before the start of the suspense drama.

“If it had overlapped with the classes, I would probably have watched a little at school as well,” says Hiidensalo.

“I managed to go home and watch in peace. I was excited until the end.”

Fourth place can be considered quite a surprise, even though Hiidensalo was also fourth last year at the World Championships on the same route. He exuded satisfaction after his performance, and similar moods prevailed at home as well.

“I’m super proud. I trusted that Olli was in good shape, but maybe I didn’t dare to expect this good. I’m surprised, but in a good way.”

The couple has a one-year-old son who still doesn’t understand much about his father’s exploits. However, Olli’s parents were there to get excited Kirsi-Maria and Arto Hiidensalo.

The whole trio followed the race in the same way. Not only from TV, but also from the results service of the International Biathlon Union IBU. For example, hits from shooting locations and Huds are shown in the results service a little earlier than in the TV broadcast.

“Everyone had result tracking open in addition to the TV. It makes it a little easier when you see the graphics first.”

“During the race, the tension rose and rose, so that there would be no missed shots. Although there is no bad hope for anyone, it was already a little bit wondering what the performance is enough for, and whether someone would have a small failure. The last shooting was the most exciting.”

A confused look flashed on Olli Hiidensalo’s face after the last zero shooting. The reaction did not go unnoticed by the home crowd.

“I haven’t seen it before. I guess it came as such a surprise to myself.”

Elisa Hiidensalo says that Olli exuded confidence and faith in the possibilities of success, as they talked daily.

“Olli didn’t even go to the stadium yesterday when he felt so good. It didn’t sound like he was getting excited for nothing.”

Excitement moments were lived in Hiidensalo’s family even before the Olympics. Olli traveled home after mid-January instead of continuing to tour the World Cup. He said the reason was the desire to spend time with his family.

However, the couple’s son fell ill.

“Before Olli left for the Olympics, the boy had a fever for four days. There was one tense moment, but luckily no one was infected.”

After fourth place in the normal distance, Hiidensalo reflected on the continuation of his career in an interview with Yle. He threw the ball to the home team, saying that they also need to ask for their opinion.

Elisa Hiidensalo has clear thoughts about the continuation of her husband’s sports career.

“At least I’m not denying it. You can continue until you have the motivation. At least there won’t be any obstacles from home. You can make the decision yourself.”