Maria Sipari immediately skis the longest run of 62 kilometers. The friends entered Sipari’s competition secretly and revealed the surprise as a birthday present.
On Sunday, history will be made in Finlandia skiing in Lahti, as Maria Sipari, encouraged by her friends, is the first skier of short height in the history of the race. Sipari, who skis the longest run in Finland, i.e. 62 kilometers long, does not hold a grudge against his colleagues, even though they had acted behind his back.
– I am really happy. They are really important and dear friends to me, and I wouldn’t have gone to the Games without them. A big thank you to them for believing in me, says Sipari.
The tools must be ordered directly from the factory
For Maria Sipar from Lappeenranta, getting equipment is more complicated than for many other skiers. The short 130-centimeter-tall Sipari’s skis are custom-made directly from the factory.
– The poles were found quite well, but then they have only been shortened.
The 32-year-old Sipari has accepted Sunday’s challenge with an open mind. He hopes that his own performance will inspire and encourage as many others as possible to surpass themselves.
Maria Sipari goes to her first Finlandia skis with a calm and confident attitude.
Finlandia skiing’s first short competitor has found a speed that suits him, ten kilometers per hour, at which Sipari believes he can handle the entire distance. Self-confidence about coping did not come out of nowhere, because Sipari has already skied a 62-kilometer long general skiing.
– I was surprised myself that I didn’t feel any kind of bad feeling or lactic acid. The general skiing went well in all respects.
Represented already in primary school
Sipar’s skiing was born in his youth when he was in primary school. At the end of elementary school, Sipari won his own school’s skiing competition and, driven by his success, was able to represent in inter-school competitions.
– The skiing spark was so great that my three younger brothers and I joined the skiing club. Through the ski club, we trained and finally participated in the games, Sipari says.
The surprise organized by colleagues was based on Sipari’s previous successes. In the winter before his birthday, he had surpassed himself by skiing a 50 kilometer run.