Riku Äyri -Another Finnish coach – another dream start
Obok Hannu Lepistö and Miki Kojonkoskiego, Riku Äyri is the third Finnish coach to earn money “for bread” in other country.
Podobnie jak Lepistö and Kojonkoski, also the new coach of the United States national team can count the start of his team in the summer as successful.
Clint Jones was second in the Summer Grand Prix standings, and Alan Alborn took good 17. place.
Riku Äyri in an interview with Skispringen.com
How did you adapt to the new country?
“Well, I live in Park City, about three kilometers from the ski jump.
Since the organization of the Olympics, the infrastructure has clearly improved here. Everywhere is easily accessible by car.
I'm just passing this stretch to the ski jump by car, so no problems.
What about work, First, I had to get to know the coaches of the individual clubs, to match different training systems.”
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What does the team look like now??
“The team really welcomed me. I guess, that was expected, that I will be like Kaale (Kari Ylianttila).
Yeah, we do have similar views, but our working methods are different.”
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You were previously the club coach of Lahden Hiihtoseura.
How did you end up on the American team??
“First I heard, that Kari Ylianttila is no longer the head coach of the United States national team.
I thought about my future and without thinking long I sent him an e-mail. It was a way of evaluating.
Later, other candidates were interviewed, but after a month he met me and offered me a four-year contract.
I didn't think for a minute. There are not many possibilities, to work as a national team coach. It was a huge deal for me.”
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Where are the main differences between the Finnish and American systems?
“There are huge differences.
In the United States, nothing is properly organized and there is little cooperation between clubs, and the relationship.
We absolutely need to improve it, therefore Kari Ylianttila will take care of her. My main task is to train the national team.
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And how it has been done so far?
“the most important, what we have achieved so far, was a change in the attitude of the players to sport and training.
It must always be a pleasure too. There are so many other things in life besides ski jumping.
If it's taken too seriously and there's no joy in it, you can no longer do this sport. ”
Were Clint Jones' summer results a surprise to you?, so, as for the fans?
“Of course. It was a big surprise for me. I was surprised by its stability, although he has yet to 17 lat.
Alan Alborn had to come to terms with it, that Clint was better than himself.
It wasn't easy for Alan.”
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How do you rate working together with Kari Ylianttila for American ski jumping?
” Kari Ylianttila is now in her eighth year in the United States. He has already done an unbelievable amount for the jumps here.
This is invaluable work.
Thanks to Kari are now the results of the American players, really high.”
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And what about the juniors?,
after Jones and Alborn?
“It doesn't work that well yet. In the jumping class, two or three years younger, there are some talented juniors.
They need at least four years, to mean something in the World Cup.
It's getting better for now.
We have players now, who will be included
in organized staff training.
This will surely bring success.
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Several Finnish trainers work abroad…
“So, this is an interesting thing. Now the most common language among trainers has become Finnish.
But Finland also has a long tradition in ski jumping and Finland is still at the forefront.
If Finnish players didn't top the list every year, there would be no such interest in Finnish coaches abroad.
Mika Kojonkoski and Hannu Lepistö did a good job as coaches, and this has recently opened up an opportunity for me and others.
There are many very well educated trainers in Finland. I'm sure, that it does no harm to the country.
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What are the goals of the American team for the upcoming winter season?
“The main goal is naturally the world championship in Predazzo, but the World Cup is no less interesting.
Players can earn good money, if they are successful and that is very important.
Ski jumping is an absolutely marginal sport here in the United States. Ski jumpers can't make much money from contracts with sponsors.”