Nordic Downhill Champions were awarded in Finland

The downhill Nordic championships were held on Friday, July 26 2024 at the Kitka MTB event in Kuusamo's Rukatunturi. After years of hiatus, the Nordic Championship gathered around 80 cyclists on the Ruka Eturinne track to compete for Nordic medals.

In addition to Finnish riders, the competition saw participants from Sweden, Norway, Iceland and Estonia. However, medals were won by the Finns. In the Women's Elite series, Suvi Vacker (JyPS) was the fastest in the finals, covering second place was Salli Saimovaara (Retkikunta Racing) by 0.06 seconds. Sanna Pyymäki (Retkikunta Racing) was third on the podium.

"In the SC last weekend, I drove DH for the first time, and here now for the second time. The track seemed to suit me, as it was perhaps more of an enduro style. All that helped was letting go of the brake and that was enough to win today", commented Vacker, who bagged the brightest medal after the race.

"It's usually difficult for me when it's dry and slippery. On this track, however, it didn't show that much, the bike behaved predictably. There were a few challenges in the final race, but we stayed upright and with a little pedaling to the finish line, that was enough for the championship today", Suvi Vacker recounted the race. 

In the men's Elite series, Samu Kauppinen (Mynämäki tovertir) was the fastest, he beat Onni Rainio (Seton Tuning), who clocked the top time in the finals, by 1.15 seconds. The bronze medal was strung around the neck of Petteri Leivo (Habanero Mountainbikers).

"Really cool feeling, yes. I didn't believe when I was going down to the finals that the victory would come, but yes, this feels good now", Kauppinen, who won the championship, felt it in the finish area of the competition.

"The first off-camper bend went badly in qualifying. It determines to a great extent the pace of the next straight, so I knew I could improve on it. On the final run, I succeeded in that point, and it was enough to win this time. This track is really cool, by far the best in Finland. The track is also worn in the same style as in the World Cup, so it's cool, when in general the tracks in Finland are not worn much during the games", Kauppinen summed up his ride.

In the competition, the fastest time was driven by the talent Kasper Hickman, driving in the under-17 men's series, who clocked the time in 59.57. The time would have been enough for the championship in the men's Elite series by 0.88 seconds.

The competition's jury and organizers were also satisfied with the results of the day's competitions. Kitka MTB continued in Ruka on Saturday with the Rumble and Klunker race competitions and a jumping show.

"The competitions went well and without major injuries. Sure, there were a few falls, but nothing out of the ordinary. This was a really good competition day" summed up Pasi Ahtiainen, who acted as the chief judge of the competition.

"If the phone rings exactly once during the competition, it is a clear signal that the competition went well. It was a really successful day, the audience and the riders had a great time. On Saturday, we continued Kitka MTB with fun races, organized by the cycling club" commented Mauno Salonen of Ruka Freeriders.

Additional information:
Henri Suopanki, Ruka Freeriders association, +358 45 630 7716
Mika Andersson, Soul Productions Oy, +358 50 518 6440