Talk about doing a U-turn. Krista Pärmäkoski has gone from weak results to becoming a winner again. Pärmäkoski struck with a 20 kilometer victory in Lahtis.
There have been many question marks surrounding Krista Pärmäkoski this winter. She has been pale in the World Cup and the low-water mark came in Goms at the end of January when she was only the 38th woman in a competition.
The slump appeared to be deep, but the decision to skip the competitions in North America was in retrospect the best thing Pärmäkoski could have done.
After a training period, she looked energetic in the Finnish cup, was strong in Friday’s team sprint and in today’s classic race the perfect hit came. Pärmäkoski took his first victory since 2018 and started a rarely seen jubilation inside the stadium in Lahtis.
– Before the season, I knew that the form was good, but there have been challenges and I haven’t got everything out in the World Cup, says Pärmäkoski to Yle.
The tears in the goal post
It was tight for the victory in the competition. Pärmäkoski finally defeated the German Victoria Carl by 1.9 seconds.
When the German crossed the finish line, Pärmäkoski could no longer hold back the tears. She collapsed in the goal net while tears of joy ran down her cheeks.
– I never thought it would go this well today. This means a lot to me, says Pärmäkoski.
Caption The emotions were on the surface for Pärmäkoski after the victory.
Bild: Magazine photo
Krista Pärmäkoski
Pärmäkoski was in good shape throughout the race, and in the second half it became clear that she was fighting for a podium position and even the win.
Swedes Frida Karlsson and Jonna Sundling, who started strongly, began to falter and in the end it was just Pärmäkoski against Carl in the fight for the victory. Four kilometers before the finish, only a tenth separated and it was even all the way to the finish.
– The plan was to take it easy during the first half and then really give everything. But it was hard to hold back as the audience gave so much support, says Pärmäkoski.
Niskanen fell but fixed the podium
Apart from Pärmäkoski’s victory, it was a brilliant Finnish day. Kerttu Niskanen finished third and took his first podium in a competition in Finland. Niskanen was 9.9 seconds slower than Pärmäkoski in the race.
– I am happy to finally get a podium position. There have been many attempts and luckily it was enough today.
– The riding was not the best and I also fell on the last lap. I put the pole between the skis and it was my own fault, says Niskanen.
Johanna Matintalo also did her best distance race in her career. Matintalo struck with a fifth place and was 30 seconds slower than Pärmäkoski.
– We knew that Krista, Kerttu and Johanna are in good shape and we believed in a podium finish, but this result is better than expected.
– You already saw last weekend in Kuopio that Krista is on the move and then you knew that there would be a good result here, says national team captain Teemu Pasanen.
Result, 20 km (k):
1. Krista Pärmäkoski FIN 52.08.0
2. Victoria Carl GER +1,9
3. Kerttu Niskanen FIN +9.9
4. Jonna Sundling SWE +20,3
5. Johanna Matintalo FIN +30.0
6. Frida Karlsson SWE + 54.3
7. Teresa Stadlober AUT + 59,2
8. Heidi Weng NOR +1.27,4
9. Rosie Brennan USA +1.34,8
10. Ebba Andersson SWE +1.56.9
24. Anne Kyllönen FIN +3.26.9
29. Katri Lylynperä FIN +4.05,1
31. Vilma Ryytty FIN +4.14.7
35. Vilma Nissinen FIN +5.06,5
37. Emma Hämäläinen FIN +7.11,1
38. Siiri Kaijansinkko FIN +7.11,6
39. Noora Kytäjä FIN +7.35,2
40. Elsa Torvinen FIN +7.49.2
44. Fanny Kukonleho FIN +8.44,9
