Virpi Kuitunen took one more title at the Finnish Championships on Friday in
Rovaniemi. Kuitunen won women’s 5 K race 8 seconds ahead of Pirjo Manninen.
Elina Hietamäki took bronze.
– It was tough for me. After Pragelato (last World Cup) I have been pretty
relaxed for two weeks, and I noticed today in my breathing that I haven’t
really
had any tough races, Kuitunen told at the press conference.
http://www.ounasvaara.net/smkisat/tulokset/naiset5km.htm
Sami Repo took his season’s second Finnish Championships title
Sami Repo claimed his season’s second Finnish Championships title in Rovaniemi
on Friday. He had won 30 K mass start in January and now he is also the champion
of 10 K free technique. Repo won the silver medalist Olli Ohtonen by 6,2
seconds. Sami Pietilä was third.
Repo was definitely the best athlete, as he broke a pole after the first 5 K
lap. He lost approximately ten seconds with that episode, even though he got a
new pole pretty quick.
– That only gave some extra boost to my racing. I had done well before that
(lead by 4 seconds after 5K) and I didn’t want to waste that, Repo said.
Repo will not start in sprint relays on Saturday, but he will race the demanding
50 K on Sunday.
– I don’t have any expectations for that, Repo said.
Olli Ohtonen took his fourth ever medal at the Finnish Championships. He was
pleased that his top form has been consistant since his first Finnish
Championship title in January in Iisalmi.
– Sami was today definitely the best athlete, Ohtonen said.
Also Ohtonen will skip the sprint relay but will ski 50 K.
– That is going to be a tough one, he estimated.
Sami Pietilä laughed that he will ski the full package of events here
The competition was held in nice winter weather with — 3 degrees of temperature.
