Antti Tuisku Selects Five Talented Skiers for His New Ski Club

In a significant move for the sport, Antti Tuisku has unveiled the inaugural members of the AT Ski Team today. The newly founded ski club aims to foster enthusiasm and collaboration among young athletes, with selected skiers ranging in age from 16 to 28.

The spotlight shines on 28-year-old Vilma Jylhä from Juva and 25-year-old Emmi Lämsä from Tornio, both of whom bring valuable experience from their participation in World Cup events. Joining them are 23-year-old Eveliina Toivanen from Kemi, 19-year-old Emmi Henriksson from Lempäälä, and the youngest member, 16-year-old Olivia Puranen from Jyväskylä.

Tuisku expressed his pride in the group, stating, "The athletes chosen are not only passionate about skiing but are also dedicated to developing their skills and advancing their athletic careers. We aimed to establish a cohesive team, and all selected athletes were eager for joint training and collaboration."

The selection process was competitive, with over a hundred applications received. After thorough evaluations, including video presentations and interviews, the list was narrowed down to ten before final selections were made.

Following a transition from a successful music career, Tuisku announced his ambitions last winter to participate in an upcoming freestyle skiing championship and launch his own ski club.

Skiers Excited for New Opportunities

The selected skiers are enthusiastic about the upcoming training camps and the season ahead, with the first camp currently taking place at Santasport in Rovaniemi. Both Vilma Jylhä and Emmi Lämsä, as the most seasoned athletes, are particularly optimistic about the challenges that lie ahead.

"I have positive expectations. I hope to receive great support for my skiing journey from this team and club," Jylhä shared.

Eveliina Toivanen is drawn by the club's strong sense of teamwork and the chance to build her athletic brand.

"I'm sure I'll receive valuable assistance in growing and developing myself as an athlete," she noted.

All five skiers recognize the importance of leveraging the coaching insights offered through the team’s camps, featuring various professionals dedicated to their success.

Comprehensive Support from Tuisku

Antti Tuisku, who has paused his music career to focus on skiing, promises comprehensive support for his athletes.

"Each skier will receive financial aid amounting to 4,000 euros, along with 20 scheduled training days at Santasport this season. Additionally, we have established partnerships that will undoubtedly benefit the skiers," he elaborated.

This interest in the AT Ski Team is evident, with significant engagement seen on social media platforms.

"Currently, AT Ski Team appears to be Finland's most followed ski club on social media. This provides tremendous opportunities for building commercial partnerships and brand awareness," Tuisku affirmed.

Vilma Jylhä believes that the club’s unique identity and the notoriety of its founder will benefit all members.

"This club offers something entirely new in Finland. It would have been unwise not to apply. As soon as Antti announced it, I knew it was a chance worth pursuing."

High-Level Coaching and Insights

The AT Ski Team is also strengthened by the presence of top ski coach Reijo Jylhä. For Vilma, learning about his involvement came as a pleasant surprise. Despite sharing a surname, the Jylhäs are not related.

"Having such a high-level coach on board is remarkable, along with many others who truly want to invest in us," she noted. Reijo Jylhä will not only serve as the team’s professional coach during the camps but is also Tuisku’s personal coach.

"I oversee the camp's programs at Santasport, utilizing our skilled staff as needed for expertise," he stated. While he emphasizes that each skier's personal coach holds the most responsibility, he reassured that they would collaboratively assess progress and training methods.

Tuisku believes that this talented group is poised for success.

"I am confident that the AT Ski Team's women's relay squad can achieve impressive results in national championships and the Finnish Cup. We already have two skiers who have competed in the World Cup, along with another who holds a national championship medal," he concluded.