Finnish skiers looking for good showing to end season

Standing skier Ilkka Tuomisto and Sini Pyy are looking forward to competing at home at the IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country World Cup Finals in Vuokatti. 14 Mar 2016
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Ilka Tuomisto

Finland's Ilka Tuomisto competes in the men's cross-country sprint 1km semi-final standing event at the Vancouver 2010 Paralympic Winter Games.

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By Vuokatti Sport and IPC

Finland’s Ilkka Tuomisto and Sini Pyy are gearing-up to represent their country at home from Tuesday (15 March) in the IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing World Cup Finals.

 

Action gets underway with the biathlon sprint but it is the cross-country events where the host nation’s skiers will compete.

 

Men’s standing skier Tuomisto is particularly looking forward to the debut of the marathon on Saturday (19 March), which will be contested as part of the traditional Vuokatii Hiihto. In March, the venue offers superb snow and weather conditions.

 

“I am really looking forward to the marathon event,” Tuomisto said. “I am also curious to see how the classic sprint goes. A bit steeper climbs on course would be better for me but it is definitely okay for me.”

 

Tuomisto has been preparing well for the World Cup Finals. He competed in a national cross-country skiing event last Saturday (12 March), and the 10km classic left him confident. He has performed consistently this season, having shown improvements in the free technique.

 

“The extremely great race is still yet to come, and that is my aim in Vuokatti,” he concluded.

 

Pyy has gained a great amount of confidence this season with two top ten performances in women’s sitting at the World Cup in Finsterau, Germany. She has found her path in training, including the best skiing position, and the hard work is starting to pay off.

 

“I am looking forward to the sprint. That was my best event in Finsterau and the sprint course in Vuokatti should suit me even better,” Pyy said. “My main event will be the 5km on Sunday [20 March], it has traditionally been a good check-point on where I am standing. I would love to do the 20km on Saturday, but I am not sure yet.”

 

Results from Vuokatti will be available at IPC Biathlon and Cross-Country Skiing’s website.