Ounasvaaran Hiihtoseura and Alatornion Pirkat Fin. champions in sprint relays
The Finnish Champions in Sprint Relay in Rovaniemi on Saturday were the same
teams as in Lieksa last year. Ounasvaaran Hiihtoseura won the women's sprint
relay, Alatornion Pirkat the men's relay.
There were a bit changes in athletes, though. This year Pirjo Manninen and
Mona-Liisa Malvalehto raced for Ounasvaaran Hiihtoseura, last year Malvalehto
was accompanied by Nita Tennilä. Jari Isometsä and Sami Jauhojärvi raced for
Alatornion Pirkat on Saturday, last year Jauhojärvi raced with Ari Palolahti.
Sprint relays were in classic technique, men raced 8×1,1 K and women 6×1,1
K-format.
Mona-Liisa Malvalehto: “The first loop was hardest for me since the gap between
qualification and final was quite big. I started as fast as I could but on the
second loop I was already able to race relaxed. My season has been full of ups
and downs. These are the good moments to build on for the future.”
Jari Isometsä: “I attacked in the steepest uphill. I was only 3 seconds in lead
straight after the uphill, but after that I kept the pace and the lead became
bigger. I am not racing the 50 K on Sunday as I decided before that if I race in
sprint relay, I skip the 50 K.”
Sami Jauhojärvi: “It was all relaxed racing, I didn't have to give my best shot
at the end and I was able to celebrate already on the last loop, Jari took care
of that. Compared to our sprint relay victory last year, this is was easier
race.”
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Sprint relay, final results:
Men: http://www.ounasvaara.net/smkisat/tulokset/MiehetSprinttiviesti.htm
Women: http://www.ounasvaara.net/smkisat/tulokset/Naiset%202x3x1_2%20km%20P.htm
