Virtanen believes that athletes need the right balance of challenge and praise. Once one goal has been achieved, there should be another to strive for. However, it must be rewarding to ignite the love for the sport.

“When love for the sport is built, it is not dependent on how the athlete does in competitions, but rather on the fact that the athlete likes to compete and train. Through high-quality club activities and a supportive coach, an athlete develops from an early age the desire to improve and be better day by day.”

Virtanen says that he is often asked at what age a young person can be brought for a treadmill performance test, but he does not believe in age recommendations when it comes to skiing. Everything should come from the athlete’s willingness.

“If a 9-year-old wants to go roller skiing, I wouldn’t say no, by saying that the child shouldn’t go for another three years. If the child has the enthusiasm and it makes sense, there is no need for us to pull the brakes on their development.”

” The most important thing is the moment when the athletes have the realization that they want to be a skier. A 9-year-old wants to be a skier because it’s great, but the real dedication comes much later. That can come, for example, only when you’re in the national B-team.”

According to Virtanen, Norway has so many talented youngsters rising to the international level because of the amount of sports children and juniors do. He believes that the success of the Norwegians is based on moving together and being outdoors, especially as a family. Virtanen is pleased that covid has also encouraged Finns to get more exercise outdoors when the indoors have been closed.

In the case of younger skiers, Virtanen believes that investment in equipment is often made too early. He believes that the equipment is of sufficient quality when skiing is fun.

“At the age of 13, do you need to have seven pairs of skis for both styles and test them three times a week? The best thing would be to let one’s career develop naturally, rather than being forced. The same goes for training and competing. We need to get the love for the sport and competition to grow so that the desire to compete is strong, even if it sometimes involves feelings of defeat,” Virtanen sums up.