The 1980's and the 1990's were the Golden Eras in the Finnish ski-jumping. Matti Nykänen, Jari Puikkonen, Jouko Törmänen, Ari-Pekka Nikkola, Mika Laitinen, Jani Soininen and Toni Nieminen (16-years-old Olympic Champion) - they were the top men in the Finnish ski-jumping. However, also ski-jumping is a sport event which often requires support from the team members. Matti Nykänen (RIP) is of course, the legend - Jari Puikkonen, still an occasional commentator in YLE broadcasts - Jouko Törmänen (RIP) - Mika Laitinen (the most promising ski-jumper never recovered after an accident) - Ari-Pekka Nikkola (a duration in achievements - able to adopt the V-style), Toni Nieminen (a true child-star) - Jani Soininen (the last Finnish ski-jumper to win an Olympic Individual Gold Medal).
These guys above were the best, or at least among the bests in the world in ski-jumping. However, to achieve success and maintain the golden-era requires support from the team members. In Team Finland, there was also one, an unknown athlete, Laakkonen.
Risto Laakkonen is born in 1967. He is a former Finnish ski-jumper. At a very young age his talents and capabilities were noticed in Finland. Constantly finishing top-places in the Finnish Championships, Laakkonen was also recruited for the Ski-Jumping World Cup. For instance, Laakkonen finished in the World Cup competitions in the podium after Nykänen, and Dieter Thoma(GER) also winning some WC competitions. Laakkonen won in Team Finland Gold, Albertville 1992 (OG), Gold, Lahti 1989 (WC), Silver, Fal di Fiemme 1991 (WC).
During the season 1988-1989 and in the Four-Hill-Tournament Laakkonen knocked out Matti Nykänen(FIN) and Jens Weissflog(GDR) winning the Tournament without a single individual hill win. After two weeks, only jumping in classic-style, Laakkonen finished for the 2nd place, at Harachov after the Swedish Jan Boklöv('father' of the V-style).
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A modern day photo, from left to right: Risto Laakkonen, Mika Laitínen, Toni Nieminen and Ari-Pekka Nikkola. Savon Sanomat.
These guys above were the best, or at least among the bests in the world in ski-jumping. However, to achieve success and maintain the golden-era requires support from the team members. In Team Finland, there was also one, an unknown athlete, Laakkonen.
Risto Laakkonen is born in 1967. He is a former Finnish ski-jumper. At a very young age his talents and capabilities were noticed in Finland. Constantly finishing top-places in the Finnish Championships, Laakkonen was also recruited for the Ski-Jumping World Cup. For instance, Laakkonen finished in the World Cup competitions in the podium after Nykänen, and Dieter Thoma(GER) also winning some WC competitions. Laakkonen won in Team Finland Gold, Albertville 1992 (OG), Gold, Lahti 1989 (WC), Silver, Fal di Fiemme 1991 (WC).
During the season 1988-1989 and in the Four-Hill-Tournament Laakkonen knocked out Matti Nykänen(FIN) and Jens Weissflog(GDR) winning the Tournament without a single individual hill win. After two weeks, only jumping in classic-style, Laakkonen finished for the 2nd place, at Harachov after the Swedish Jan Boklöv('father' of the V-style).
A modern day photo, from left to right: Risto Laakkonen, Mika Laitínen, Toni Nieminen and Ari-Pekka Nikkola. Savon Sanomat.
