Living in Vuokatti, Jasmin Kähärä is accustomed to not always having to train alone, but new this season is an informal “G-team,” which includes Krista Pärmäkoski, Katri Lylynperä, and Johanna Matintalo alongside Kähärä. The team members have trained closely together this summer.

“Even though everyone has their own programs, we have been able to do tough training sessions together. We all started the new season with somewhat similar starting points in the spring, so it’s been nice to notice that everyone’s fitness is gradually improving, and we have developed well as a group,” says Kähärä to Maastohiihto.com.

24-year-old Kähärä believes that training alongside more experienced skiers is very beneficial for her.

“Sometimes they joke that I’m the junior in the group, but I feel it’s only an advantage for me. Krista, being the most experienced among us, is the type who wants to teach and spar, which makes me very happy because I still have a lot of potential and room to improve.”

Kähärä enjoys her training-filled daily life and doesn’t long for “extra hassle” around her workouts. Her golf hobby, which she has participated in during previous summers, has been put aside for now.

“It’s a nice hobby, but it takes up a lot of time alongside training and affects recovery. I regularly see my friends, for example, for grilling, but otherwise, I don’t do anything special in my free time. I enjoy having nothing extra to worry about.”

Kähärä reports that her summer training has gone well. A few weeks ago, she competed in the traditional Aateli Race and finished fourth overall in the women’s competition.

She says she doesn’t want to attach too much importance to summer results but is pleased that her good feeling about her fitness also showed in the results list.

“Those races are not typically my strong suit, so I was satisfied with the outcome and with being able to complete the entire race in a tough heat.”

“Based on roller ski races, I haven’t drawn any conclusions because they usually don’t correlate with the winter. Of course, it was nice that when training felt good, I also had a solid performance in the race.”

Goals set for the Trondheim sprint

Kähärä is already thinking about the World Championships in Trondheim next winter, where her specialty event, the freestyle sprint, is on the program.

Although her focus for next winter is on the championships, Kähärä has aimed to concentrate on basic training during the summer.

“We’re working just as hard as any other season. My career is still in its early stages, and I have good years ahead, so I still need fundamental work and good training years.”

Regarding the competition calendar, there are relatively few freestyle sprints on the World Cup schedule before the World Championships.

“The opportunities to showcase my abilities come pretty early in the season. Naturally, I need to succeed there to even qualify for the World Championships.”

However, Kähärä doesn’t want to put unnecessary pressure on herself.

“I’m just focusing on working hard, and usually, by December, I’m able to perform well. Once I’ve had a few races under my belt, I find my competition form well, so at this point, I’m not worrying about it at all.”

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