Tommi Nikunen – Finland's new coach
Swoje narty Tommi Nikunen “hung on a peg” w 1993, but he did not part with ski jumping.
Until the end of last winter, Nikunen worked with Finnish combiners.
28-summer coach from Lahti celebrated great successes m. with Sampa Lajunen, winner of three gold medals in Salt Lake City.
The strength of the team was also determined by the talented Jaakko Tallus.
The Finnish Ski Federation has recognized, that Nikunen will be the ideal candidate for the position of national team coach.
The goal was set for him to continuously improve the level of Finnish ski jumping.
It is certainly not easy to control such a group of talented players and raise their sports level.
We spoke to Tommi Nikunen:
Skispringen.com:
What do you think about the new job, How do you approach new tasks??
Tommi Nikunen:
I'm really nervous, is obvious, that will be a real challenge.
This is another big step in my coaching career. Our team is very strong and the prognosis for a successful start to the new season is excellent.
Fifteen players from the Finnish team scored points in the World Cup standings last season.
And both experienced ones scored, older players, as well as the young, talented. The perfect mix.”.
Skispringen.com:
How big is the difference between the combination, and the jumps themselves?
Tommi Nikunen:
“Actually, the difference is not that big for me, because I was responsible for the jumping combination.
The most important task is to get to know people first.
Almost without exception, the combination is practiced by completely different people”.
Skispringen.com:
Will you follow Mika Kojonkoski's footsteps??
Tommi Nikunen:
“Mika is undoubtedly one of the best trainers in the world.
It's not easy to take a position after him.
However, our training philosophies lie very closely together yes, that this task will be easy for me to complete. “.
Skispringen.com:
You're going to change something in the team now?
Tommi Nikunen:
“NO, I basically leave the matter, because Mika just did a great job.
Naturally, you have to constantly develop sports and changes will have to be constantly introduced.
Skispringen.com:
What is the most important task for you?
Tommi Nikunen:
Because we have so many great jumpers, I see, that my most important task will be, so that every player can achieve what he is capable of.
By this I mean professional conditions for training, professional environment and professional equipment for each of our players.
W Maju Tommi Nikunen, in a new role, will conduct the first training with Finnish players.
We will definitely describe.