NORDIC COMBINED. The first weekend of the World Cup in Kuusamo is history and Tino Edelmann is now the first athlete to wear the yellow bib in the 2011/12 winter season. But another athlete was the center of attention at the press conference on Saturday: Janne Ryynenen.

After his third place on Friday, Tino Edelmann from Germany won the second competition in Kuusamo (FIN). Janne Ryynaenen (FIN) and Akito Watabe (JPN) could not close the gap to the new overall leader. Photo: FIS

Local hero Ryynaenen, who achieved his first podium result since 2008 as second today, showed a strong performance in the race: "My shape in cross country was very good today, especially in the last lap I felt very strong and could attack again on the final climb." But he didn't focus on the top. "I was busy looking what happened behind me. In final lap I saw Tino, but he was still too far away. I'm very satisfied with my second place", the Finn told.

Akito Watabe and Tino Edelmann again had to attend the press conference, after being on the podium also in yesterday's competition. "I'm very happy that I could be on the podium again today", said Japanese Watabe. He did have the plan to close the gap to Ryynaenen, but because he had to run alone most of the time he was not strong enough at the end. Nevertheless the Japanese had a very good weekend. "I once broke a bone here in this region but I think now I like Kuusamo."

Once again winner Tino Edelmann could barely believe his good shape and the result. "I was really not able to train in summer for a long time because I was sick. Of course the conditions in the jumping were everything but easy but myself and Akito were also on the podium yesterday and Janne was fifth. Maybe I didn't have as much luck as I thought."

Especially the final lap, where he lost the race yesterday, was hard for Edelmann. "Janne and Akito got 28 seconds closer and I just thought, damn, are they fast. But then I just decided to keep on and give everything I got."

Silke Tegethof/Mariele Stockinger
FISnordiccombined.com
26.11.2011 17:19

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