Krista Pärmäkoski revealed her wishes to the Salpausselkä audience

Multiple prize medalist Krista Pärmäkoski ends his handsome career this season.

Pärmäkoski will ski in front of the home crowd in the World Cup for the last time on Sunday at the Salpausselkä Games in the traditional 10 km intermediate start.

“I’m in a good mood. It’s always nice to come here, and even now sunny weather has been promised for the whole weekend. Good carnivals ahead,” Pärmäkoski felt during the race weekend.

Pärmäkoski’s long-time national teammate also ends his career this season Perttu Hyvärinen.

Hyvärinen appeared very emotional in front of the media on Friday. Pärmäkoski, on the other hand, has not yet had time to reflect on what the end of his career means to him.

“I listened with the side ear to what Pera was talking about. I haven’t thought about it that way yet. I don’t feel that emotional yet. I bet that on Sunday, when you cross the finish line, it will hit harder.”

Pärmäkoski skis a free sprint on Salpauselä on Saturday and a traditional split start on Sunday. In the sprint race, the 35-year-old skier has little expectations.

“It’s three minutes and you’re done,” he laughs, referring to the duration of the sprint qualifying.

Sunday night too in his current condition, he does not expect great success, but he makes a wish for the home crowd.

“The truth is that my condition is not such that I would struggle for amazing places. If I get the most out of my body and I am tired after the finish line, then I would be satisfied with that. But I believe and hope that I will be encouraged throughout the journey.”

During his long career, Pärmäkoski has accumulated both good and bad memories of the Salpausselkä Games.

“In the early stages of my career, this was often a really difficult place, when the races were always right after the prestigious races. There were bad races and even one interruption. On the other hand, later on, the best skis of my career also hit here.”

The clearest thing in my mind is the profit from 2018.

“Especially the traditional ten in 2018 has stuck in my mind, I could have continued that pace for any length of time. Such flow races rarely come along in a career.”

Locking back after Pärmäkoski will still ski the last World Cup race of his career in Norway’s Holmenkollen next weekend.