A stunning feat: Janne Ahonen and Toni Nieminen duel in the Salpausselkä – “Anything can happen”

Janne Ahonen and Toni Nieminen will be seen at the Salpausselkä races on Saturday 22 March. They are looking forward to the duel with trepidation, but also with excitement.

– I got a phone call. They told me that there was an idea like this. They asked me how they could get me involved. I said that I would go if Janne would go, Toni Nieminen told Urheilustudio.

– I was asked for such a challenge and was told that Toni has already agreed to do it, Janne Ahonen continued.

Toni Niemis feels great to be able to try jumping from the big hill in Lahti at the age of fifty.

– It’s amazing to get involved. I can pre -sense a frightening panic, but still enjoyment. The audience is waiting and anything may happen, Janne Ahonen says.

Ahonen has jumped from Lahti Suurmäki a couple to three years ago as the 100th anniversary of the Lahti Ski Club at the Salpausselkä Games. Then Ahonen joined 120 meters.

Nieminen also believes that Ahonen wins the race.

-My last jump is from the Lahti 2017 World Cup as a rumble, Nieminen says.

Ahonen has hinted in advance that he is jumping at an illegal suit. Nieminen also believes that he himself is pulling in an illegal suit.

– I was wondering about my old overalls and whether I have to pull the zipper open. Loose is no longer in the leg, Nieminen threw.

47-year-old Ahonen, for his part, says that he has had to dig into the enthusiasm for ski jumping.

– In my own preparation for Salppur, the challenge is that it may not be hinging and wanting there. I also have to deal with things in his head, says Ahonen.

In May, Nieminen, who is 50 years old, has a thirst to take off, but of course not to the extent as he packed.

– He still works hard every day. Hat to get! There is no such fire, but there is still love for ski jumping. I am full of enthusiasm to get this opportunity. Feeling flattering that the organizers want to do this and give us a chance, Nieminen describes.

– Although there is fear and excitement in the tower, it is certainly like a little boy in a sledding hill, Ahonen describes.

A year ago in March, Janne Ahonen and Toni Nieminen announced their aiming for the combined Finnish Championship this spring. The project has accommodated all kinds of twists and turns.

Now they both describe the combined Finnish Championships in Ounasvaara so that that project is under construction. The first project Nieminen has been to get ski equipment throughout the winter. Ahonen, on the other hand, already described his rods in the store, but left them on the shelf.

– Ten kilometers of skiing will be reasonably tough for us, Nieminen admits.