Winter 2004 Finnish Kicksled and Scooter Association,
Clear Differences on the Marathon
21.3.2004, MultiaThe World Championship Marathon was kicked in heavy conditions on Lake Sinervä in Multia; thus the differences were clear, as there was no real advantage of group riding. Alpo Kuusisto governed the men's race and Saturday's 2000 m champion Liis Toomingas reigned in the ladies' race. The second place among men was taken by Hannu Vierikko, who apparently suffered a sled malfunction early in the race and thus changed his sled. The sled swap gave Vierikko such additional speed that he periodically seemed to catch the gap gained by Kuusisto. Richard Van Camp who has been kicking successfully earlier during the season was third before Jan Elmgren.
Alpo Kuusisto. Photo Antti Lehtinen.
In the ladies' class the fastest behind Liis Toomingas was surprisingly Anneli Mörä-Leino before Auli Suomalainen (to be accurate, Mörä-Leino competed in the masters' class for ladies over 45 years). She guessed that the reason for such a surprising speed was the "kick duration" gained during her training camp in Lapland, which suited well for these heavy circumstances in Multia.
Liis Toomingas. Photo Antti Lehtinen.
The royal distance was covered completely on the 500 m track that has traditionally not been used for distances longer than 2000 m. There were 84 laps to kick and as the weather was warm the track experienced quite a plenty of wear during the race. Besides the soft track the strenuousness of the race was augmented by the amount of curve riding due to the shape if the track - 2/5 of a lap was curve so it added up to a total of ca. 16.8 km in the whole race. For many a kicker the race was the toughest in their kick career.
Marathon start grouping. Photo Antti Lehtinen.
In men's masters class Hannu Luoma was the fastest kicker. He was superior in his age group like in the 500 m race on Saturday.
Antti Lehtinen (translation Esa Mononen)
Erwin Borremans the Sprint Champion20.3.2004, Multia
Moist circumstances didn't scare the participants of Multia World Championships away on Saturday. For the first time in history semifinals besides qualifying heats were needed to select the finalists for men's 200 meters that was kicked on a reserve track made on a section of ice originally dedicated for parking. The final resulted in a great surprise as Erwin Borremans from Belgium took the championship title kicking away from all his opponents and also the cameraman. Hannu Vierikko was the only Finnish medalist as Richard Van Camp took the third place.
The ladies' 200 meters race was won by Maarit Salovirta as expected. On 2000 m, however, she had to admit that Liis Toomingas was faster this time. In men's 2000 m race Hannu Vierikko took the lead before the last curve and added one more world championship title in his collection. Richard Van Camp became the other man calling it a day with two individual medals, this time silver. Jan Elmgren finished third.
The men's relay was won by Ketkupolkka before Kensu and the international Vantaan Veturi team. In the ladies' relay Multia-Team delighted the home public by snatching the championship title before Kensu.
Antti Lehtinen (facts/photos) & Esa Mononen (editor)
Leapday Kicks29.2.2004, LapinjärviThe Leapday Kicks took place in Lapinjärvi on good ice track in pleasant subzero weather. In the children's 1000 m race there was a delighting total of participants in six classes. In the challenge relay the joy of motion was at its best while the teams competed with their costumes as well as with their speed. The fastest were Team Nurmi and the prize for the best dress was handed out to local store Rokka.
The struggle for men's 2000 m Finnish Championship title was fought on the home stretch between Hannu Vierikko and Jan Elmgren, who had kicked the 100 km race in Kuopio the day before. The picture of the finish camera decided that the winner was Vierikko. The third was the winner of the Kuopio race, Alpo Kuusisto, who could not keep up with the top duo on the second 1000 m lap.
The ladies' 2000 m victory was secured by Maarit Salovirta already on the first lap. Laura Nurmi (12 years) snatched surprisingly the bronze medal despite her stumbling in the last curve in front of Anne Muiniekka, who had kicked the 100 km in Kuopio.
Jaana Nykänen (English translation Esa Mononen)
photo Juha Eerikäinen / Kouvolan Sanomat
Viktor Balck 100 km28.2.2004, Kuopio
Marathon in Rantasalmi
21.2.2004, Rantasalmi, Finland
This marathon held in conjunction with the Finnish Skating Association was originally scheduled as a national championship to be held on a lake in the southern Finnish city of Järvenpää but was moved a few days before the race, due to track conditions, to a small town in the east of Finland, Rantasalmi. Under the circumstances the kicksledding field was reduced in numbers. Nevertheless the race was still held in arguably one of the most beautiful venues for kicksledding in Finland. The resort Holiday Village Järvisydän provided a impressive range of winter holiday services, including a complimentary traditional smoke sauna the night before the race.
Hannu Vierikko, Richard Van Camp, and Matti Pesälä competed in a 47.8 kilometre marathon. Also taking part in shorter events were Anne-Mari and Einari Vierikko, Roope and Laura Nurmi from Lapinjärvi, as well as Tuija Härkönen from Savonlinna. The irregular race distance may be explained by the 'Savo people' in this part of Finland who are renowned for being a little eccentric, talkative (for Finns), shrewd in business and particularly unconcerned about normal accounting procedures. But we were very impressed with the hospitality and preparation involved in the event, which also included a well-groomed track winding through a scenic archipelago. The winning men's time was Van Camp's 1.49.09. Vierikko was left behind after the first 12 km and eventually finished in 1.59.07, with Pesälä about three minutes further back.
Richard Van Camp
Results
Men 47,2km
1. Van Camp Richard Kensu USA 1:49:09, 2. Vierikko Hannu Ketkupolkka Helsinki 1:59:07, 3. Pesälä Matti Harjavalta 2:02:47
Women 34,8km
1. Härkönen Tuija KickBike Savonlinna 1:47:18
Girls 11,6km
1. Nurmi Laura Lapinjärven Lukko 0:34:56
Boys 11,6km
1. Nurmi Roope Lapinjärven Lukko0:34:20, 2. Vierikko Einari Ketkupolkka Helsinki 0:49:40
Kuvat / Photos Kickbike Worldwide OY
Ice Festival in Jyväskylä
15.2.2004, Jyväskylä, FinlandMy local club KENSU, in cooperation with the city of Jyväskylä and numerous sponsors, has done another great job of getting locals out on the ice to celebrate the many things one can do on a frozen lake, not the least of which is kicksledding. This year’s event saw a few improvements/ changes over last year: more sunshine, more people including an appearance by Ansi Harju (semi-famous shot putter) and Alpo Kuusisto (should-be famous kicksledder), a new race format (1 hour plus 1 lap) and an earlier race start. The last of these changes is a consequence of the popularity of the event. Now there is only space for racing on the track at 8.00 when everyone else is still in bed.
The skaters and kickers shared the track for the first hour of racing. The lead kickers seem to fancy themselves poker players these days. The pace was fast enough but there was a sense that someone was holding back for a finish sprint, which anyone could take without Hannu there. Jan took more leisurely turns at the front of the group than usual. Alpo made some teasing surges but was kept in tow. I went with just under a kilometre to go, perhaps catching Jan a little of guard behind Alpo, and made it to the line with some meters to spare. There is no ice like home ice.
Richard Van Camp
Tulokset / Results
Miehet tunti + krs / Men 1 hour + 1 round
1. Richard Van Camp KENSU 12 krs, 2. Jan Elmgren Vantaan Veturi 12 krs, 3. Alpo Kuusisto Ketkupolkka 12 krs, 4. Antti Lehtinen KENSU 11 krs, 5. Timo Rinkinen KENSU 11 krs, 6. Markus Holmlund Kokon kyläseura 11 krs, 7. Esa Mononen Ketkupolkka 11 krs, 8. Tuomas Ylikokko Kokon kyläseura 11 krs, 9. Arto Hakasalo KENSU 10 krS, 10. Roope Nurmi Lapinjärven Lukko 9 krs
Naiset tunti + krs / Women 1 hour + 1 round
1. Jaana Nykänen Ketkupolkka 9 krs, 2. Anneli Mörä-Leino KENSU 9 krs, 3. Laura Nurmi Lapinjärven Lukko 8 krs
Miehet yli 45-v. tunti + krs / Men over 45 years 1 hour + 1 round
1. Risto Oikarinen KENSU 10 krs, 2. Hannu Luoma KENSU 10 krs
Nurmi victoriuous again, Vierikko third
8.2.2004, Lapinjärvi, FinlandKuva / Photo Kickbike Worldwide OY / Anne-Maria Vierikko
-A headline of the present and possible future. With names like Nurmi, Escartin, Silfvast, Heikkinen, and, oh yes… another Vierikko, the next generation of kicksledders took center stage in Lapinjärvi this last Sunday. By most accounts, the action in the adult’s marathon was rather dull compared to the youngsters’ enthusiastic and dramatic races. These are the kids who will be kicking our butts when we are old and grey, or I guess I should say MORE old and grey than some of us already are.
Kuva / Photo Henrik Lund
On Sunday a community came together to pay tribute to a former one of its own, Ville Vickholm, in a most appropriate way. The number of participants who came out to enjoy the sunshine and crisp winter air was impressive, around 60 in all, including a nice field of around 20 men and women in the recreational category. While the kids may have gathered most of the attention, we old folks enjoyed our race too, in spite of most of us seeming to be recovering from one ailment or another. We traded excuses early in the race. I complained to anyone who would listen about my tough ski race the day before. Hannu joined in with his story of a lack of training in the toilet, after visiting Germany, due to his constant sickness…or was it a lack of training due to constant sickness in the toilet after his trip to Germany. Anyways something like that…Alpo too looked like he had been stricken by a bug recently. But it was clear during the marathon that Hannu wasn’t feeling so bad since he never stopped talking from his comfortable position at the back of our lead pack, which was being towed generously around the track again and again by the Jan Elmgren Express. It was one of those “wait and see” races which sprinters love. So there was a Vierikko victory in this story after all (I think it was also Hannu’s sister took who took first place in the women’s race).
Kuva / Photo Henrik Lund
Moreover, the kicking pack is more diverse than ever with the athletic Belgian Erwin Borremans joining the group of competitive kickers in Finland with unpronounceable names, and a sturdy looking fellow named Robert Sheild taking first place in the recreation kicker’s race. Finally, I take my hat off to those poor local ladies handing out juice to racers, only to get most of it straight back. Here is a hint ladies: only fill those cups up half-way and get some speed going before handing the juice over to the kicker!
Kuva / Photo Kickbike Worldwide OY / Anne-Maria Vierikko
But seriously it was heart-warming to see whole families who had come out to kick together and young one’s taking the stage at the awards ceremony. I think there were definitely a record number of smiles.
Richard Van Camp
More photos at www.iksaworld.com.
Linnansaari event
7.-8.2.2004, Rantasalmi, Finland
Photo: Vesa Takaoja
The members of the Savonlinna-Kickbike ry were well-presented at the first Linnansaari Ice Skating Event held at the heart of the most beautiful part of the Finnish lakeland, on the homewaters of the endangered species of Saimaa ringed seal. The 3.8 km competition track and the 12 km excursion track were in a great shape and the weather as perfect as it can be. All this very well organised event needs is more kicksled riders! See you next year!
Tuija H.
Wisa's 10 km Cross-country
17.1.2004, Nakkila
The 10 km cross-country kicksled race organised by Nakkilan Wisa was held in a few degrees subzero weather on an approximately 1,2 km track that had been made on a snow-covered golf course. The organisers had frozen the surface of the track, so it was in excellent condition. The races were opened by a representative of TUL (the traditional labourers' nationwide sports federation) and before the first start there was a minute of silence in order to respect Ville's memory.
In the men's race Jan Elmgren escaped from the others towards easy victory already on the first lap. Hannu Vierikko had dressed in a patriotic blue-and-white costume from Lillehammer 1994 Olympic Winter Games, but the outfit did not provide wings to race for victory. The result was a second place. The third finisher Esa Mononen kicked consistently away from Matti Pesälä from Harjavalta, who took a fine fourth place. Even more consistently kicked the ladies' winner Jaana Nykänen, whose slowest lap took a mere six seconds more than her fastest one, and actually Matti didn't escape too far into the horizon.
Roope Nurmi from Lapinjärvi won both the 2 km race for 12-year-old juniors and the 6 km race for 16-year-olds. Laura Nurmi won the 16-year-old girls' race. In the other children's races the medals were taken by kickers from the organising club, who were delightfully many in number.
In the prize ceremony they handed out medals with kick emblems and trophies for the winners. You could relax your strained muscles by taking a swim in a hole in the ice before going to the sauna. Thanks to the organisers for their enormous effort and successful races. Nakkila is worth revisiting by a bigger crowd.
Jaana Nykänen (translation Esa Mononen)
See also results and lap times.
Photos Mika Vuorio / Satakunnan Kansa
Old Kick News in Swedish
Gammaldags sparknotiser från Stockholm
Kepo-hepo report
Lapinjärvi 11.1.2004
This race for masochists is traditionally held on a forest road with some modest hills. However, due to poor snow conditions this winter in Southern Finland and some gravel on the road, the race was moved to ice in Läpinjärvi. Nevertheless, the race still provided some tough Kepo Hepo-like conditions with snow cover on the ice from the start and with light snowfall through much of the race. Confidence balancing on one runner to cut down on resistance was helpful, a technique worth practicing.
First, the youngsters had their race, where Roope Nurmi again showed impressive technique and speed for his age. In the men’s race, Hannu Vierikko and Esa Mononen were the first to drop off the pace and fought their own close battle until the end. The former setting us up for another dramatic “come back” later in the season? Meanwhile it was Alpo setting the pace most of the time, which he took up one more notch in typical fashion in the second half of the race. Jan was then, surprisingly, left behind with about 4 laps to go on the 3 kilometre track and then, inevitably, Alpo gapped Rick towards the end to avoid the need for a finishing sprint. Jaana Nykänen took the woman’s race despite her “dancing shoes.”
The race was followed by sauna and an impressively large dish of macaroni casserole, compliments of Heidi and family. Thanks also to Sari Nurmi and company for their help arranging the course and taking times.
Richard Van Camp (photos Henrik Lund)
Tulokset / Results
Men / Miehet yleinen, maraton
1. Alpo Kuusisto Ketkupolkka 1,44.33, 2. Richard van Camp KENSU 1.44.48, 3 Jan Elmgren Vantaan Veturi 1.47.22, 4. Hannu Vierikko Ketkupolkka 2.03.41, 5. Esa Mononen Ketkupolkka 2.04.21
Ladies / Naiset yleinen, 11,7 km
1. Jaana Nykänen Ketkupolkka 38.18, 2. Heidi Räihä Lapinjärven Lukko 46.51, 3. Minna Ruolanto Porvoon Flikat 1.01.56
Juniors / Nuoret, 11,7 km
1. Roope Nurmi Lapinjärven Lukko 45.41
Juniors under 8/ Nuoret alle 8 vuotta, 2 km
1. Sebastian Hansson Lappträsk IF 11.27
Juniors under 12 / Nuoret alle 12 vuotta, 2 km
1. Roope Nurmi Lapinjärven Lukko 6.38, 2. Ilmo Lukkariniemi Lapinjärven Lukko 8.08
Juniors under 16 / Nuoret alle 16 vuotta, 2 km
1. Laura Nurmi Lapinjärven Lukko 7.23
Winter Triathlon
31.12.2003, Helsinki
Three was company enough at the start line of this year’s Winter Triathlon in Paloheinä, a ski park in Helsinki (a fourth adventurer didn’t make the start time and Hannu is rumoured to be in a pub somewhere in China). Our timekeeper and photographer, Väiski, started things off almost right on time, 6.00 pm, the same time as Finns are allowed to start shooting off their New Year’s fireworks, which made for a celebratory mood. Alpo skied without baskets on his ski poles and with skis which looked like relics of his childhood, perhaps offering his mates a chance. The ski route was a 1 kilometer loop on granular man-made snow, skied ten rounds. Rick entered the transition area with Jan on his heels and Alpo well behind.
The run was on a gravel park path, with some ice cover here and there. By the end, Jan led by a few seconds. Alpo was closing from about a minute behind. Julia Van Camp, Rick’s self-appointed “coach” could be heard yelling at her husband for his ridiculously slow transition, while Jan was already out of reach for Alpo.
Results:
The kicksled route was 10 times again on the same track used for skiing. The snow was surprisingly suitable for kicking, as Jan was easily cruising past skiers. Jan’s climbing technique, in which he kept kicking all the way to the top of the hill, contrasted with Alpo’s which involved a some running spurts behind the sled, and Rick’s which was sort of jogging with his sled (?). Rick was going slow enough for a skier to strike up a conversation about his kicksled: “Where can you buy one of those!?” No time to talk or sell Kicksparks though (sorry Hannu). Jan and Rick kicked with plastic runners, Alpo with naked steel.
1.Jan 1.40,25
2.Alpo 1.42,47
3.Richard 1.43,57
Big Thanks to Esa Kinnunen and Väiski for their help!
Richard Van Camp
Farewell to Ville
12.12.2003, Lapinjärvi
The funeral service of Ville Vickholm gathered a large crowd of mourners who wished to see Ville off to his last journey. The church of Lapinjärvi has reportedly never been as full of people. Even the priest was seemingly moved by the amount of sorrow and could in his sermon only with a staggering voice wonder where were Ville's patron angels when the accident happened.
Ville's fellow sportsmen Jan Elmgren, Hannu Vierikko and Alpo Kuusisto participated in carrying Ville's coffin to the grave through an alley formed by Ville's small pupils from school. Ville was laid to rest in the scenic churchyard looking down upon his kicksledding tracks on Lake Lapinjärvi. As the clear but chilly day turned into dusk funeral guests from nearby and far away dropped tears and uttered words that had to come before their due time.
A local resident of Lapinjärvi who likely is the culprit for the tragic hit-and-run accident that caused Ville's death has been taken into police custody. The driver is suspected of gross involuntary manslaughter. The maximum sentence for such a crime according to Finnish law is six years in prison. The police has reported that it has evidence of the suspect having been drinking intoxicating beverages during the hours prior to the fatal incident.
No sentence or punishment, however, can bring Ville back to our kicking world. The best we can do is to keep Ville's spirit alive. In Lapinjärvi kicking races will be organised also in the future to honour the memory of Ville. Already within one month, on January 11, 2004, there will be the Ville's traditional Kepo-Hepo marathon on the Church Road in Liljendal.
Esa Mononen
Start of Kepo-Hepo Marathon 2003. After this day we turn again a page in our book of lifetime. Not in order to forget about the sad pages of recent times, but rather in order to seek for consolation and life power as we write and simultaneously read the new page in the book of lifetime. But the book won't hereafter include only sad pages. We have had the opportunity to witness that there is still so much goodness in our brutal world. Such an enormous number of friends and fellow human beings have shared our sorrow, the sorrow that faced us when Ville so abruptly was taken away from us. People have shared with us also the injustice that feels so difficult to overcome. Our gratitude cannot be expressed in plain words, but the future shall prove that the support of fellow human beings in thoughts, words and deeds will give us strength instead of sorrow breaking us when new pages will be written in the book of lifetime.
The family of Ville
Ville welcoming everyone to ice marathon on Lapinjärvi.
Memorial Service of Ville Vickholm
Some information for all who wish to pay their last respects to Ville:
The funeral service of Ville shall be held on Friday 12.12.2003 at 14.00 in Lapinjärvi. Everyone is welcome to escort Ville to his last journey.
A memorial fund of Ville has been founded:
Ville Vickholmin muistorahasto
IBAN fi8450164020008895
SWIFT okoyfihhContributions from within Finland: Elimäen osuuspankki Lapinjärvi 501640-28895
Greetings to the memorial ceremony shall be sent to Ville's parents' address:
You can also express your condolences on Ville's departure at http://www.iksaworld.com/ville.html.
Family of Ville Vickholm
Kustaankaari 20
07800 Lapinjärvi
Finland
Sad News from Lapinjärvi
Ville Vickholm deceased on November 27 while training on his Kickbike after a motor car bumped him off the road near his home in Lapinjärvi.
Ville's departure in a man's prime touches his close relations as many things were left in their incipiency. One of them was his work as a teacher in Kapellby school. This sad message touches also Ville's large sphere of friends, which developed also during the years he spent kicksledding and scootering.
Ville's competitive kicksled career started back in 1993 in Noux, Espoo, where he immediately took the second place among elite kicksledders in the Viktor Balck 100 km memorial race. The hobby became a passion and during the past decade Ville left thousands of kick traces close to his home as well as around Europe.
Ville performed remarkable work promoting kicking sports by arranging versatile race events and during the past year he acted as the president of Finnish Kicksled and Scooter Association. He was still kicking along with top speed. Last summer he won the Eurocup total point ranking and already opened this winter season in the First Snow Kicks. The kick career seemed to be quite in order.
Now there is a hole of Ville's caliber in our world. It must be difficult for the dearest of Ville to imagine life without him. The same applies to his small pupils, but school, life and play must go on. Ville remains in our minds as a sincere person, with whom also his fellow competitors found it pleasant to race.
For those who like a modern way to find out what Ville achieved in life: Google
Antti Lehtinen (English translation Esa Mononen)
Ps. A condolence page: http://www.iksaworld.com/ville.html
X-kaato Adventure Race Report
1.11.2003 Vihti, Finland
Following Hannu in the first half of last week’s adventure race was something akin to riding a roller-coaster that has come off its tracks and into the forest. The second half was…well slower but I will get to that later. Along with the 30 or so other teams and individual competitors, Hannu and I had paired up as Team Kickbike for the X-Kaato Adventure Race, which took place just west of Helsinki, while Jan E. and Ville V. formed Team Kickspark. As is usual with adventure races, all stages involved some orienteering (navigating to control points), either by mountain bike, running, or paddling (plus one easy repel over a small cliff). Of course, mountain biking is too easy, so we kicked those sections on the XC model. Because Hannu is an old-time orienteerer who, as he will tell you, has had his share of great times “in the bush,” he took the map, strapped a compass to his wrist and led the way. I might add that I doubt that Hannu has showed up for many races with time to spare and this one was no exception. Without time to properly mark the routes on the map and a meagre supply of liquids, we were more or less doomed from the get go.
The first 50-60k was on wheels. What we lost in terms of speed to the mountain bikers we tried to make up for in ingenuity and pure craziness. Hannu led us on one of his short-cuts at the first opportunity. It was fun too look back and see a few mountain bikers following us with quizzical looks on their faces as we dismounted, KB’s in hand, and tumbled down a muddy bank and across a farmer’s field. Unfortunately, the first few short-cuts were not so short after all. We found no secret paths, just lots of bush, a small river to cross and plenty of high-quality Finnish mud. Still we were in the mix all the way to the beginning of the running section thanks to one brilliant short-cut towards the end of this section, although we had dropped Team Kickspark somewhere along the way (they would suffer the same fate of several other teams, unable to locate all the CP’s during the running section). In very tough terrain, Hannu recorded some of the best times between CPs early in the running. I desperately tried to keep Hannu in sight, squeezing between trees and scrambling down rocky hills.
We finished the running section about 5 hours into the race and at this point Hannu, clutching the now soggy map, was starting to look worryingly tired. It didn’t help our confidence at this point either to be overtaken by an individual female competitor who, to my annoyance, seemed to be enjoying herself immensely. Even worse we had expected to hit the kayak section earlier, where it would be possible to refuel (the dude who gave us this elicit info was either dim or trying to sabotage us—you know who you are!!!). As it turned out we wouldn’t see the kayak where our drinks and food were stashed until almost 7 hours into the race. In irritable states of mind, we remounted our Kickbikes and took off, that is not like airplanes take off but how chickens do. A few minutes later, one glance back and I realised that Hannu was nowhere to be seen. I doubled back and found Hannu not so much kicking as just trying to stay standing. He had bonked and his muscles had frozen up. By the time we finally made it to the kayaking section it was dark and Hannu was shivering badly. He put every bit of extra clothing on and we pushed the kayak in the river with only our headlamps to see by. Hannu recovered a bit at this point, or at least warmed up, and I did my job so that we made decent time up and down the river. I have never paddled in the dark and it was almost enjoyable, except for the part about not seeing. The final kicking stage should have been quick and easy. But already feeling defeated, and our minds occupied with the question of whether there would be any of the free buffet left for us at the starting place, we made a few more orienteering mistakes and came in 15th place (but the only team to finish on KBs), way over 2 hours behind the winners.
Nevertheless, memory has a short memory and I think that better preparation and more patience at the beginning would have put us in the top 10. And hey, we were on Kickbikes after all!
Richard Van Camp
First Snow Kicks
Helsinki 26.10.2003
1,5 km time trial
1. Ville Vickholm 4.36, 2. Hannu Vierikko 4.50, 3. Jan Elmgren, 4. Erwin Borremans
7,5 km mass start
1. Hannu Vierikko 24.28, 2. Ville Vickholm 24.35, 3. Jan Elmgren + 2 min
The US crossing continues...
Photos from America: This time you will see Elvis and the other guys on the road again...
