Teemu Pasanen new head coach for team Finland

Teemu Pasanen has been chosen as the new head coach of the Finnish Cross-Country team. The coaching team is complemented by Mikko Virtanen, Ville Oksanen and Glenn Lindholm.

Pasanen's choice for the position was supported by a diverse background from various coaching positions, but the selection is intended to ensure continuity in Finnish ski coaching in particular.

"Teemu has a desire to develop Finnish ski coaching so that we keep up with the changes and are at the forefront of fierce international competition. Of course, the goal is also to strive for success on a wider front than at present and to return to the medal standings in future value competitions as well," says Jarmo Luuri, Chairman of the Cross-Country Skiing Management Team.

Pasanen has been coaching the national team for six consecutive winters. Prior to the A-national team, Pasanen coached the Ski Association's youth groups for five years in 2006-2010 and worked as a full-time coaching manager at the Espoo Ski Club in 2009-2014. A coach known for his analytical skills has been taken over from his appointment as head coach.

The activities and structures of the Cross-Country skiing team have been reformed in recent years and Pasanen wants to continue the lines that have proved its worth.

"A lot of good policies have been made and will be continued. Group training is emphasized, but the individual tailoring of the training is also taken into account. A clearer differentiation between women's and men's training was also seen as good. However, there is still room for improvement in many areas. The requirements of modern skiing must be met," says Pasanen.

The new Cross-Country coaching policy will be published next week, and according to Pasanen, the result of the work will also be visible in national team activities.

The alignment has been worked on with a large group together with KIHU. It has considered the future direction of Finnish Cross-Country skiing coaching and the requirements of modern skiing. Of course, it also affects national team activities, but especially the field and youth activities.

The head coach Pasanella is responsible for running the coaching team. Pasanen is also responsible for the men's national team coaching together with Mikko Virtanen. The women's head coach is Ville Oksanen, who gets Glenn Lindholm as his staff. The contracts of all coaches are in the form of 2 + 1 years.

Glenn Lindholm is a newcomer to national team coaching, but the name is familiar in ski circles. Lindholm, who has been Vuokatti Sport's coaching manager for recent years and has a 20-year coaching background, is looking forward to the A-national team stand.

"It is great to get to the highest level where everyone works hard and professionally. Of course, I am also aware of the fact that the pressure is increasing and the expectations are Cross-Country skiing hard. My dream is that both Finnish women and men will have medals in the message competitions of the Beijing Winter Olympics," says  Lindholm. He calls for the development of the sport and keeping pace with development. "I look forward to working with the coaching team to take Finnish skiing forward. The competition is fierce in the world, Finland must keep up with the development and be happy to be a little ahead," Lindholm reflects.

Ismo Hämäläinen, Executive Director of the Finnish Ski Association, will act as the local team coaches' supervisor and supervisor.

The national team maintenance manager will be appointed later in the summer. Coaches for other coaching teams will be appointed following NOV decisions in early summer.