What are your thoughts on the last winter? What do you think about the season, are you satisfied with your results?
Atte: Last winter was not good when looking at the results. My jumping was not even near the level it was at training season and I barely got points from COC. I am not really satisfied with the results.
Are there any things you need to change for the next season concerning jumping or mental strength?
Atte: There are some changes to be maybe to my overall training towards next season. We have gone through them with my coach and now I will start implementing those changes to my training program. Mental strength is not my biggest problem right now but I will need to start improving it once I get the basics in training to line up.
How are you preparing for the upcoming season?
Atte: I am preparing with training obviously. We have some training camps in the summer and when the schools start in August there will be some more Finnish NC-athletes and a new coach moving to Vuokatti so we have a great training roster to work with.
What are your goals for next season and your future in this sport in general?
Atte: Next season I just want to improve my overall positions in COC a lot. My best position in COC was 16. on 2016 in Ruka. I would like to compete for those top 15 positions in most of the races next year. My goal in general is to compete at podium level in World Cup and someday win the crystal globe.
What was the best achievement of your career so far and what the biggest disappointment?
Atte: I think my biggest achievements are the victories in Finnish youth nationals. I haven't yet had any super big successes in international races except Youth Cup. My biggest disappointment must be this years JWSC. My jumping was very bad and skiing did not get me to good positions.
Next season the Mass Start will return to World Cup - what do you think about it?
Atte: It will be very interesting because in Mass Start the good skiers like Pittin and Herola will get more attention than they would in normal Gundersen. It will be a nice refresher during the season.
01.06.2017
FNCA: What is your opinion on last season with your first COC points and the participation in Junior World Championships?
Atte: I think last season was pretty successful mostly on my part. JWSC could've gone better but I got good experience from there. Otepää and Planica continental cups were a failure because of DSQ and problems with shoulder but 16th place in Ruka was really good and I'm happy about it!
FNCA: Are there any things you need to change for the next season concerning jumping, skiing or mental strength?
Atte: There is always something I can change and do better but I think that with consistent training I can make those changes possible in the future. Mostly I will need to improve my skiing and I think my mental strength could be a bit better especially in important jumping situations like JWSC, but that strength will come with experience.
FNCA: How are you preparing for the upcoming season?
Atte: With good quality training at home and on the camp periods with other Finnish athletes during the summer and fall.
FNCA: How do you handle school next to trainings and competitions?
Atte: It goes pretty well, I can do schoolwork while I'm on training camps and my grades are still pretty good compared to how much I'm away from school. I just need to study a little bit more on my own but I can manage that.
FNCA: You have just been chosen to the Haastajaryhmä (chasing group of the national team) - what are your goals for next season and your future in this sport in general?
Atte: Yes, getting to the chasing group was really nice. I get to attend training camps with the A-team and get much experience that way. Next year my biggest goal is JWSC and getting new personal best position in COC. After that I will set new goals and try to steadily climb up the ladder to the top!