Last year in Jukola the quartet of Tampereen Pyrintö Riina Kuuselo, Anni-Maija Fincke, Saila Kinni ja Venla Niemi was left second after exciting final battle for the victory. Also this year a fearce fight for the Venla victory is on the cards. The biggest competition this year comes from
Sweden and Norway but the girls from Tampere will provide a strong challenge.

Last year’s close victory is still fresh in our minds. This year we aim for the win, says Riina Kuuselo.

Despite problems the team has had with their injuries and hard training, on the eve of the Venla  relay these are a distant memory. The anchor of Tampereen Pyrintö, Venla Niemi, has been in a particularly convincing form this spring.

All is looking up and a very positive stretch has continued which will help in the competition, Niemi notes.

Finns tough challengers this year in Jukola

Speculations on the Jukola winner have concentrated on one team only that is above the rest.
Norway’s Halden SK’s team has a compelling members and behind two convincing Jukola victories
and a victory from 10mila.

Despite compellingly convincing team on a piece of paper, a victory is never easy. Behind us
there is a lot of hard work and we will definitely be competing for the win, the many folded Jukola
winner Mats Haldin says cautiously.

The toughest competition for Halden SK come from Finland. Kalevan Rasti, Delta, Vaajakosken
Terä… all possible candidates for the prime spot.

Antti Harju, the manager of Kaleva Rasti, notes that this year our tactics are different from last
years.

Last year we followed a tactic. This year we go one leg of the relay at the time and perform well.
Margins are minimal and the team that makes the least mistakes will win. It does not matter who is
the forrunner, as we all start from the line, Harju commented to the amusement of the journalists.

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