Johanna MATINTALO

Historical Results

Baking (rolls), watching TV and movies. (pirkka.fi, 5 Feb 2019)

Athlete

Partner, Lauri Vuorinen.

Finnish, English

Poytyan Urheilijat (Poytya, FIN)

National: Ville Oksanen (FIN)
Personal: Ville Oksanen (FIN)

Partner Lauri Vuorinen (Cross-country skiing): Competed at the PyeongChang 2018 Olympic Winter Games (sprint), two World Championships (2019, 2021), two Junior World Championships with two fourth-place finishes (2014 sprint, 2015 4x5km relay), and two U23 World Championships.

Athletics: Finnish 800m champion in 2013. Competed at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Barcelona (heats) and 2013 World Youth Championships in Donetsk (semi-finals). At age 14, won silver in the 800m at the 2011 National Championships in a time of 2:05.87, which was the fastest in the world for an under-16 athlete.

2014 World Cup in Ruka (10km - 69th)

January-February 2019: Norovirus affected her main competition season. (yle.fi, 16 Apr 2019)

January 2017: Painful bone spur in ankle requiring only free-skiing and rest. (yle.fi, 21 Feb 2017)

2015: Tear in the sole of her foot, just prior to the start of her athletics season. Her two-month rest from running forced substitute training that resembled summer training for a cross-country skier.

November 2013: Mycoplasma infection (bacteria that causes pneumonia) requiring many rounds of antibiotics. Unable to train for many months.

2017

Parents enrolled her in the Poytya Athletes' Ski Club, but she did not show much talent in the first few years, yet a close group of friends kept her engaged in skiing. “Until the age of 10, I was always the last one in our group of friends. I was really small, skinny and short. It wasn’t noticeable that I would become a top athlete. I would say that attitude and state of mind have brought me here.” (yle.fi, 27 Jan 2018)

Stopped competing in athletics in 2016 as injuries were affecting her development in the sport. Had also been offered a place on Finland’s B ski team, requiring a commitment. Finland’s tradition in cross-country skiing was an important factor in her choice.

“After all, the decision was not terribly difficult to make. It was very clear to me that I wanted to commit to skiing and look at that card. I still follow athletics a lot, but I don’t miss it.” (ts.fi, 9 Sep 2016; yle.fi, 27 Jan 2018)

“I dream of winning a major competition. It’s the kind of thing that drives me forward and why I manage to work. So I could one day be the best in the world. Happy at the Olympics, but yes, they are also suitable for the World Cup.” (yle.fi, 27 Jan 2019)

“I still run quite a bit as a skier. During the training season, a three-hour Nordic jog should be done at home once a week.” (ts.fi, 6 May 2018)

Her partner, Finnish national team member Lauri Vuorinen, influenced her to want to focus on herself and her skiing.