Biathlon GP competitions in Kontiolahti: Suvi Minkkinen the women's number one, Heikki Laitinen won the men's second battle

Kontiolahti Urheilijat ry press release 6 November 2021

Joutsan Pommin's Suvi Minkkinen, who shot cleanly in the women's 7.5 km sprint, took the win ahead of Kontiolahti Urheilijode's Nastassia Kinnu, who was burdened by three missed shots. The difference between the two was 31.5 seconds. The third was Erika Jänkä of Ahvenisto Ampuhihitätä, who shot 2+1 fines.

─I'm really happy that I was able to do such a performance, said the winner, who struggled with his health in the fall.

Minkkinen was not yet involved in the opening race of the season in Vuokatti a week ago.

─ You can clearly see that the maximum heart rate in skiing still has a lot to do and was lower than normal. Certainly, the ability to recommend is still lacking.

Minkkinen hopes that tomorrow's shortened normal distance race will suit him better than the sprint race.

─ I have small hopes that it might suit the body better at the moment, when you don't have to go at such acid limits, but you have to be able to maintain the pace of the trip.

Laitinen on the last run to victory

On the men's side, there was a tight race for the win. Heikki Laitinen of the Kontiolahti Athletes started the last ski run in fourth place, but pushed to victory before Tuomas Harjula of Tuusula Voima-Veikki, Arttu Heikki of the Puijjo Ski Club and Tuusula Voima-Veikki Jaakko Rantaa.

Within the top three, the differences were small, as everyone fit within six seconds.

─ Fairly even thickness, good performance. One plus one shooting, not great but not catastrophic either. The skiing was pretty even. Laitinen, who skied to victory in four-degree heat and relatively calm weather, said that he managed to tighten up towards the end and then gained a few places at the end.

Today's competition started a new biathlon Exel-cup, consisting of five competition weekends, in the categories M/N19, M/N22 and M/N General. The Cup and Kontiolahti GP races continue on Sunday in the series N/N22 and M/M22 with shortened normal distances and in other series with normal distances at 11 o'clock.

More information:  

See the results and Sunday's starting lists

Kontiolahti Athletes: Jarno Lautamatti 043 218 0573