Janne Happonen is working hard to return to the
world class again after his serious knee injury
and he seems to be on the right track. He took a
clear win in the Finnish national Championships
in Lahti on Sunday.
With 123.5 m and 114.5 m the 29-year-old of Kuopio
showed the longest jumps in both rounds and won
with a total of 235.3 points.
"The first jump was great, the second one was
not bad either. My technique seems to work well
on this hill. This win gives me more self confidence",
Happonen said on mtv3.fi.
Janne Ahonen captured the second place with 117
m and 106.5 m (211.2 points), followed by Olli Muotka
as third (119 m / 101.5 m; 199.8 points).
The junior's title went to Jarkko Maeaettae with
130.5 m and 123.5 m (272.6 points), ahead of Aapo
Lehtinen (125.5 m / 117 m; 246.9 points) and Elias
Vaenskae (124 m / 118 m; 240.5 points).
In the team competition on Saturday, Lahden Hiihtoseura
I (Janne Ahonen, Pasi Ahonen, Olli Muotka and Ville
Larinto) celebrated a clear win with 932.0 points.
Puijon Hiihtoseura 1 (Sami Heiskanen, Ilka Herola,
Matti Herola, Janne Happonen; 888.7 points) came
in second, and Lahden Hiihtoseura II (Ossi-Pekka
Valta, Mika Kulmala, Aapo Lehtinen, Sebastian Klinga;
845.7 points) was third.
Lauri Asikainen could not take part in these competitions,
he sprained his ankle when running earlier this
week and will be sidelined for a couple of weeks.
Top 10 Finnish Championships, Lahti HS 130; September
8, 2013
Rank Name Distance Points
1. Happonen, Janne 123.5 m - 114.5 m 235.3
2. Ahonen, Janne 117 m - 106.5 m 211.2
3. Muotka, Olli 119 m - 101.5 m 199.8
4. Ylitapio, Santeri 112 m - 106 m 198.3
5. Maeaettae, Jarkko 113.5 m - 101.5 m 191.9
6. Keituri, Kalle 111.5 m - 98 m 181.0
7. Koivuranta, Anssi 116.5 m - 92.5 m 180.6
8. Heiskanen, Sami 112.5 m - 93.5 m 173.2
9. Vaenskae, Elias 111 m - 91.5 m 165.9
10. Valta, Ossi-Pekka 107 m - 92 m 158.1