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Athlete of the moment: Anssi Koivuranta (FIN)
Anssi Koivuranta, man of the moment
Picture: Horst Nilgen
When asked if he expected such a great beginning to the 2008/09 season, Anssi Koivuranta thinks just for few seconds. And then, slowly, he answers: he knew that he would be in very good shape, and, no, he did not expect to be on the podium in the first four races of the new season.
Anssi Koivuranta is a likeable, easy-going, 20-year-old athlete from Kuusamo, who celebrated his first World Cup victory of his career in his home town just this year. The day before, he was third behind fellow countryman Janne Ryynaenen, and one week later, he was again third and first in Trondheim.
The 320 points he has in the overall standings represent a clear lead for the young man. Norway's Magnus Moan is trailing by 124 points. But Koivuranta, who likes cycling, fishing and alpine skiing, is not yet thinking of an overall victory. "Huh, the season has just begun. So much can happen. Really, March is very far away."
February is nearer, and the World Championship competitions in Liberec (CZE) are Koivuranta's main goal. In Sapporo in 2007, the Finn already got two podium places, achieving gold with the team and bronze in the Gundersen competition. At the Olympics 2006, Koivuranta got third place in the team competition.
But the past is not that interesting for the Nordic Combined athlete. His motto is: "Don't read history, just do it." Anssi Koivuranta will write history. That's for sure. Will he become the legitimate successor of retired Hannu Manninen, record winner of 45 World Cup competitions? Only the future will tell.