Tuire Valkonen

Have you ever wanted to match your skiing abilities against the professionals? Then the weekend of the 10th and 11th March is your chance to do that. In this weekend the 118th Tervahiihto - the ‘Tar Ski Race’ - will take place in Oulu. It is the oldest skiing marathon competition in the world, and it’s open to everyone. Contestants can test themselves on the 40km track, or, for the really serious skier, there’s the 70km course.

This year is the second time that the competition has run as a part of the international FIS (Nordic Ski Marathon) Cup. This means that international professional skiers enter the race - yet the main idea of the game remains to beat yourself.
 

When and where

Every year about 2000 people make their start. This year the starting point is from Huuhkajapuisto, 300 meters east of Ouluhalli - the starting point has been moved due to the snow and ice conditions. The traditional style races start at 8 in the morning, with the entrants in the free-style 70 and 40 kilometre races starting at 10 o’clock. The finish is as planned, on the terrain near Ouluhalli. 

The 40-kilometre route takes the skiers to the following places: Start at Huuhkajapuisto - Tuppela, 5 km - Valkeinen, 13 km - Niilesjärvi, 18 km - Kiekonmaja, 25 km - Tuppela, 30 km - Lämsänjärvi, 35 km - Ouluhalli, 40 km. Skiers for the 70 kilometres start off on the shorter route, but make an extra loop between Kiekonmaja and Tuppela. Their route goes: Start at Huuhkajapuisto - Tuppela, 5 km - Valkeinen, 13 km - Harvikko, 22km - Kiekonmaja, 32 km - Sammalkangas, 40 km - Niilesjärvi, 48 km - Kiekonmaja, 55 km - Tuppela, 60 km - Lämsänjärvi, 65 km - Ouluhalli, 70 km. 

Besides the marathon on Saturday part of the course near Ouluhalli is reserved for children to ski around on the Sunday.  

Preparation

I met Tuire Valkonen while she was making her practice round. Tuire is determined and ready to take part in the competition over the distance of 40 kilometres. She tells me it will be the second time she has taken part in the Tervahiihto. For her it all started when, as a kid, she watched her father ski. Last year she prove that she can ski distances as well. I ask her whether it needs much effort and practise for her or is it in her blood to excel on the snow. "Every week I make a couple of 10 or 15-kilometre rounds. I have been doing that for three months now ", she replies.  

Also for Tuire the main aim is to beat herself. Tuire: "Last year it took about 4 hours to finish at the 40-kilometre distance. This year I will finish in three and a half hours". With her firm preparation it could be a good estimation. Isn't there anything then that she fears? Yes there is. "At least I want to beat my little brother. He will participate as well", she exclaims. 

More information:
http://www.oulunhiihtoseura.fi/tervahiihto/

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