Mika Myllylän mukaan nimetty hiihtäjä säväytti – teki kovan ukaasin Ylen haastattelussa

Mika Vermeulen shines at the Tour de Ski

Mika Vermeulen was truly happy in an interview with Yle after the Tour, making a significant impression as he finished second in the overall standings. The Austrian skier expressed strong determination looking ahead.

Mika Vermeulen showcased his skills at Alpe Cermis. Photo: Lehtikuva / Emmi Korhonen

In the concluding climb of Alpe Cermis, Vermeulen was second fastest, which propelled him to overall second position in the Tour. The 25-year-old was overjoyed to reach the Yle interview spot.

"This was amazing. My childhood dream came true," Vermeulen celebrated.

Simen Hegstad Krüger finished first in the final climb at Alpe Cermis, with Mika Vermeulen in second place.

Vermeulen disclosed that he is likely the first generation of skiers who grew up watching the Tour de Ski. The tour, established as the pinnacle event of the cross-country skiing World Cup, was first held in the 2006-2007 season.

“I used to watch Tobias Angerer, Dario Cologna, and Petter Northug compete for these standings that I am now vying for. I am so proud to be one of those now under scrutiny,” Vermeulen remarked, referring to legends of skiing.

Unlike many of his peers, Vermeulen is one of the few competitors who consistently works hard during races.

"That's skiing. When I think of battles between athletes like Martin Johnsrud Sundby or Petter Northug, I know I have to be faster or cross the finish line first if I want to win races," Vermeulen said calmly about his approach.

He aims to extract the best out of himself in the remaining part of the season, with the World Championships around late February to early March in his sights. Following his success in the Tour de Ski, he stated that he has a clear goal of securing a medal.

"At the end of the season, I will return home. I will train during the summer to ensure I am so good that I will win next year’s competitions," Vermeulen asserted, delivering a strong message.

He attributes his elevated performance this season to rigorous training.

"This is endurance sports. People underestimate how important it is to train consistently for years. I believe I have trained well most of the time. The better I train, the better I become," Vermeulen described.

Tour de Ski’s second-place finisher Mika Vermeulen (left), Hugo Lapalus (right), and Johannes Høsflot Kläbo celebrating with champagne. Photo: Lehtikuva / Emmi Korhonen

Finnish connection on Vermeulen's name

Vermeulen was born in June 1999. The winter prior, Vincent and Dorien Vermeulen watched in awe as Mika Myllylä secured three gold medals at the Ramsau World Championships: in the 10 kilometers classic, the 30 kilometers freestyle, and the 50-kilometer classic event. Dorien Vermeulen was inspired to name her son Mika Myllylä.

"We were so excited about Mika that we decided our little boy would be named Mika," mother Dorien Vermeulen shared with Yle Sport roughly three years ago.

The final decision was made while watching a skiing event on TV following the World Championships.

"One or two races after the World Championships, it was snowing heavily. It was a mass start. All you could see on TV was snow. Suddenly, from amidst the snow and forest emerged one man. That was Mika. He looked like such a big survivor. It felt good," she recalled.

Yle Sport visited the “Austrian Mika” family.

Vermeulen initially competed in combined skiing as a youth where he achieved dual junior world championships in team events, as well as a silver medal in individual competitions. However, he transitioned to cross-country skiing after his junior years.

"He had the strength to climb the hills very quickly. After a hill, he might be in 40th, but after skiing he’d be in first place," father Vincent Vermeulen reminisced about his son’s early competitions three years ago.

"Even a blind person could see what he was capable of. Then he decided to switch entirely to cross-country skiing."