10:57. As is often the case in the spring, the international federations of cross-country skiing and Nordic sports announce a number of departures and arrivals within their various staffs. This week, Finland was no exception to the rule. Ville Maunuksela, who has coached the women’s team for the last two years, has had his last few months at the helm.
Although he was initially due to extend his contract until next winter’s Olympic Games in Milan/Cortina (Italy), the Finn was finally sidelined by his managers after a season without any real highlights. Indeed, although Jasmi Joensuu won the small crystal globe in the sprint, his team was never in the running at the World Championships in Trondheim (Norway).
“It’s a decision taken by the management and I understand it. I’m not happy with the performance of the women’s national team in the last World Cup season either,” he told Ilta-Sanomat.
