It is hoped that successful games will promote Lahti’s chance to win the 2029 World Cup.
A total of around 50,000 visitors visited Salpausselkä’s 100th anniversary race in Lahti, which exceeded the organizers’ prior expectations.
The most popular day was Saturday with 25,000 visitors. About 15,000 guests arrived at the ski center on Sunday and about 10,000 on Friday. The financial result will become clear in the next few weeks.
According to him, the managers of the International Ski Federation FIS were also satisfied with what they saw. Snow reliability has become one of the most important criteria for the organizers of the games.
– The feedback was that these were the best Salpausselkä competitions that they know of, says Kolu.
In accordance with the Lahti tradition, Salppuri is not only a high-level sports event, but also a kind of winter party for all those who are excited about having fun.
– We can talk about a national celebration. Even now we had many visitors. At the other extreme are those who watch all sports performances closely, but there are also those for whom being together and celebrating is more important, Kolu describes.
– Families, company guests, groups of friends and the youngest of the family visit Salppuri. We aim to offer something for everyone.
The city of Lahti and the competition organizers already have their eyes firmly set on the future. The 2029 World Championships in Nordic skiing are planned for Salpausela.
According to Kolu’s own assessment, the festive competitions seen now were a successful calling card when considering the competition search.
– The decision-makers saw that the event is developing and moving forward. The things that have been requested have been taken into account, he formulates.
The General Secretary of the Games is especially proud of the more than 1,100 volunteers who were building and making the traditional event this year.
According to Kolu, no discussions about organizing the Salpauselka Games only every other year took place over the weekend, at least not according to him.