English

Härkönen wins his first Finlandia-hiihto

tiina — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:45:15 +0000

Teemu Härkönen took part into the Finlandia-hiihto for the first time on Sunday, and started his Finlandia-career with a victory. At 50km free technique race Härkönen had a time of 2.07.12, which gave him a clear victory ahead of Viacheslav Zuev from Russia who lost by 2.55 minutes.

“First time here and a victory, feels great. There was a group of us until 25 kilometer, and we worked well together. After that in long uphill I took the lead, put some more speed, and eventually there was a gap to the others. Then I just kept going until the end. I have to admit though that the last 10 km was a struggle and it was not easy win at all, but I made it”, Härkönen smiled.
The best woman in 50 km free was Alesia Gusenkova from Russia.

Varis wins Finlandia-hiihto for the sixth time

tiina — Sat, 27 Feb 2010 11:30:02 +0000

Kari Varis took his sixth victory at Finlandia-hiihto on Saturday, when he finished the 50 km classic race 32 seconds ahead of Thomas Ramstedt. Last year’s winner Niklas Colliander came third. Varis and Ramstedt raced together until 45 kilometres, but then Ramstedt had to settle for second place. Varis was particulary happy about his victory after finishing only fifth last year.
“It is always challenging to win this classical event. I was a bit surprised how easily I actually got a gap to Thomas, I had some power left. I will not race the free technique event tomorrow, instead I will focus on next weekend’s World Cup here in Lahti, which is very important to me. I will compete in pursuit, and aim at scoring World Cup points. I think it is realistic, if equipment work well and competitors from Vancouver are a bit tired”, Varis says.

The women’s event was won by Liisa Anttila, who competed in Finlandia for the second time. Anttila had pain in her right arm due to an accident occurred in ski-orienteering event during the previous weeks.
“I feel I have around 30 percent of the power left in my right arm. It is not so much fun to ski like this, but I couldn’t stay away either. Actually it was pretty good we didn’t go that fast until the last two kilometers”, says Anttila.
Heli Peltonen finished second, eight seconds behind the winner.
On Sunday there will be 50 kilometre free technique race as main event on the Finlandia-hiihto’s program.

Varis and Colliander well prepared for their season’s highlight

tiina — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:22:55 +0000

There are already 3490 registered skiers for Saturday’s 50 km classical event at Finlandia-hiihto. Among them there will be Kari Varis, winner at 2007 & 2008 in both events and last year in free technique race, and Niklas Colliander, the defending champion in 50 km classical event.
“I can’t wait to get to race again! I have had the feeling the past two weeks and I am looking forward to the race as one of my season’s definite highlight. It is an important event for me for sure. I assume the fight about top places will be during the last 10 kilometre”, says Varis.
Colliander, known as sprinter also at World Cup level, is naturally looking forward to the last kilometres too:
“That final spurt is my strength”, says Colliander.
Total number of registrated skiers was on the early Friday afternoon 5679. There are 750 skiers representing other than Finland, including 254 Russians, who traditionally tend to have a strong group in the 50 km races.

More than 5600 skiers already set for Finlandia-hiihto

tiina — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 09:29:54 +0000

Already 5600 cross-country skiers have left their entries for Finlandia-hiihto 2010, taking place February 27-28 in Lahti/Hollola. The number of participants is significantly more than in the 2009’s edition, where there were total of 5183 skiers.

This year, there are 3481 skiers registered for 50 km in classic technique on February 27. The free technique event over the same distance is in plans for 1237 skiers. As a detail, there are total of 867 women who are already registered for Finlandia-hiihto 2010.

As usual, many ski friends from different countries will again travel to Lahti to get the Finlandia-hiihto experience. There are total of 742 registered skiers from 26 nations so far. Most of them come from Russia (247), following by Estonia (86), Italy (85), Norway (56), Germany (47) and Sweden (37).

The host nation’s big names for 50 km classic event are last year’s Finlandia-winners Niklas Colliander and Kari Varis. One interesting name competing in 32 kilometre classical race will be Minna Nieminen, who teamed up with Sanna Sten to win silver at Beijing Olympic Games in rowing.

Already 4500 skiers set to participate in the 37th Finlandia-Hiihto

tiina — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 07:34:35 +0000

There is already 4500 enthuastic cross-country skiers from 25 nations set to participate in the 37th Finlandia-Hiihto, which will take place February 27-28th.

“We aim at having 6000 skiers finishing the Finlandia-Hiihto this year. The legendary Juha Mieto will again be one of the forerunners”, says Matti Haapoja, director of Finlandia-Hiihto.

The winter in Lahti area has been better than in 10 years. It was snowing in Lahti past weekend, which made the chief of course Jukka Lehtinen happy.

“Having that snow is good news for the Finlandia-Hiihto course. So far everything looks good. We will be grooming the trails during the next two weeks, and in two weeks we will start making snow for areas still needing more of it. There will always be some, like the Messilä station area”, says Lehtinen.

Finlandia-Hiihto is part of Vesijärvi project, which aims at recovering the lake. For every skier finishing the event, Finlandia-Hiihto will be giving 0,20 euro for the valuable project. And as Vesijärvi is an extremely important element for the organizing ski clubs from Lahti and Hollola, the project will also be featured at this year’s medal.

START-WAXING SERVICE PRICE LIST

tiina — Fri, 22 Jan 2010 08:12:50 +0000

FINLANDIA-HIIHTO 2010

START-WAXING SERVICE PRICE LIST

(PAYMENT ONLY IN EUROS)

A. GLIDE WAXING 15,00 €

B. KICK WAXING 10,00 €

C. GRIP TAPE 15,00 €

D. GLIDE AND KICK WAXING 25,00 €

E. GRIP TAPE AND GLIDE WAXING 30,00 €

F. CLEANING 5,00 €

PAYMENT IN ADVANCE.

WAXING PRICES INCLUDE SKI CLIPS.

OPENING HOURS:

THURSDAY 25.2. KLO 13 – 18.00

FRIDAY 26.2. KLO 10 – 20.00

SATURDAY 27.2. KLO 07 – 18.00

SUNDAY 28.2. KLO 08 – 11.00

tiina — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 08:54:04 +0000

First snow arrived to Lahti yesterday

tiina — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 08:16:58 +0000

Finlandia Ski Marathon will take part in FIS Marathon Cup on 26th Feb 2011

tiina — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 08:54:59 +0000

Finlandia Ski Marathon’s executive committee has decided to take part in the international long race world cup competitions organised by FIS (International Ski Federation).

Finlandia Ski Marathon has not involved in FIS Marathon Cup before. The participating to the competitions will bring master skiers and possibilities of longer TV broadcast at least in Finland, Nordic countries and Europe.

Finlandia Ski Marathon organise competitions for 50km and 32km classic on 28th Feb 2010, 50km free style, 20km for women and under 16 years old junior races on 28th Feb 2010 in Finland.

Timetable for FIS Marathon Cup 2011:

9.1. Jizerska Pedesatka Czech Republic

23.1. Dolomitenlauf Austria

30.1. Marcialonga Italy

13.2. Transjurassienne France

20.2. Tartto marathon Estonia

26.2. Finlandia-hiihto Finlandia

6.3. Vaasahiihto Sweden

13.3. Engadin Skimarathon Switzerland

19.3. Birkebeinerrennet Norway

2500 skiers already registered to Finlandia-hiihto 2010

tiina — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:50:53 +0000

At the moment there are already 2500 skiers registered to 2010 Finlandia ski marathon. Last year there were 850 registers in the end of October.

The enthusiasm for cross-country skiing shows good rising. Finlandia ski marathon events from 27th February to 28th February 2010 will be the 37th year in Finlandia´s history.

Under the leadership of Jukka Lehtinen Hollolan Urheilijat-46 have done the inspections for the routes and racetrack preparation while waiting for the coming snow.

In spring 2009, both classical and free styles were decided to race in 50 km route. Earlier race was 62 km in classical, has been shortened in recent few years due to lack of snow.

Finlandia ski marathon organizers goal is to have 6000 skiers participating in 2010. Last year 5186 skiers participated to the competitions.

The favourite route again is 50 km which has 1561 skiers registered at the moment. The second favourite route is 50 km free style with 506 skiers registered. 32km classic, 389 registers, 20km for women and under 16 years junior races, 44 registers at the moment.

Finlandia ski marathon is in cooperation with ski halls and ski tunnels in Finland. Registered athletes to Finlandia ski marathon will get discount in entrance tickets to these locations. The ski tunnels are located; Ylläs-hall in Helsinki, Jämin Snow-world in Jämijärvi, Vuokatti skitunnel, Leppävirta, Paimion Finnfoam in Paimio and VahterusRing in Uusikaupunki.