Ristomatti Hakola celebrates triple gold: "Let's see when the Norwegians come to the finish line"

Ristomatti Hakola completed his golden streak at the Finnish championships in Imatra by winning the men's 20 km combined event on Sunday. Hakola previously won the national titles in the team sprint and the 10 km classic earlier in the event. Looking ahead to international competitions, he emphasized the importance of retaining his form as he anticipates the challenge posed by his Norwegian counterparts.

In the close contest, fellow competitor Miro Karppanen finished just 0.9 seconds behind, while Ville Ahonen placed third, 7.6 seconds off the pace. In the final rounds, competitive teamwork and strategy were crucial, with Karppanen attempting to react to Hakola's decisive move in the last ascent but unable to match his speed.

The event provided a valuable opportunity for Hakola to assess his readiness for the upcoming world cup. He humorously acknowledged the unpredictability of his fitness by saying, "Let's see when the Norwegians come to the finish line."

Hakola's journey in the race saw him maintaining a strong position from the start, planning to keep a good pace on the classic segment while facing a few challenges, including a minor fall prior to his ski exchange. This triumphant performance has set the stage for his aspirations as he aims for success on the world stage in the upcoming competitions.