Get to know: Perttu Reponen (FIN)
Jul 10, 2020·Nordic Combined
Finland’s Perttu Reponen has been a regular at FIS Nordic Combined events since 2014. Between then and 2017, he racked up five wins and three podiums in the FIS Youth Cup. He made the next big step in his career with winning silver at the Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne this winter and by debuting at the World Cup in Trondheim. Get to know the 18-year-old better!
How did you start with skiing / Nordic Combined?
My dad has been interested in Nordic Combined when he was young, so he took me to ski jumping hills when l was four. I have skied since three years old, so it was an obvious choice to start train Nordic cCombined. In my home town had also good conditions to start ski jumping and cross-country skiing.
Why did you pick Nordic Combined as your sport, what fascinates you most about it?
I have also played Finnish baseball and football but in Nordic Combined you can influence the result more by yourself. And of course the speed and flying is cool in ski jumping and in skiing you can push yourself to the absolute limits.
What do you have to work harder on, the ski jumping or the cross-country skiing?
I have always been a pretty good, balanced cross-country skier and ski jumper. But because of the really high level of ski jumping in the World Cup, l have to focus more on ski jumping.
Do you have a sports idol/role model (inside or outside of Nordic Combined)?
That’s easy, Hannu Manninen has always been my role model.
What was your greatest/best/most exciting moment in Nordic Combined so far?
I think my greatest moments has been my Youth Olympic Games silver medal, which I won in Lausanne this winter and the 15th place in Summer Grand Prix in Oberhof last year.
What are your goals for the next season?
First of all my priority is to stay healthy the entire season. I am after as many points as possible in World Cup. We are all fighting to be a part of the team for the World Championships in Oberstdorf and in the Junior World Ski Championship, my goal is to get to the podium.
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