An interview with Jarkko Määttä - our man from the North.
In the beginning of 4-hills tournament this year we released an interview of
Jarkko Määttä
For our fans and friends worldwide, here is Jarkko´s interview in english as well;
Jarkko Määttä did very well at his first ever Four Hills Tournament finishing 19th overall. Let’s find out more about him. This interview was made before Christmas in Lahti by Tuija Hankkila.
Who is your personal coach?
- Kari Pätäri
This season you have been jumping better than earlier. Is there any special reason for this? Have you now done something in a different way?
- In the summer I started to train harder than before, twice a day. In winter I train less.
How is the financial situation of the so called Continental Cup team nowadays? What do the jumpers have to pay themselves?
- At least for the beginning of winter there has been more money, at least for the junior national team. Fischer delivers skis free of charge. My mother sews my suits. I have my own sponsors. If you are chosen to Continental Cup, you pay yourself travel costs inside Finland. If you want to participate though you are not chosen, then you pay all travel costs yourself.
What has been your career highlight so far?
- Winning at the European Youth Olympic Festival in 2011 and being second in the qualification of Lahti world cup in 2011 and the whole weekend there.
What are your goals for this season and generally? And what about the Four Hills Tournament and the Olympics?
- This season the junior world championships are my goal. Of course in theory Four Hills and Olympics could be possible and if I happen to be chosen, I would be happy to go there. Generally speaking my goal is to be one day one of the best ski jumpers in the world and to get an Olympic medal. Also the world championships in Lahti in 2017 are my goal.
During your career, have you ever been injured?
- Fortunately I’ve never been injured.
How did you start ski jumping?
- As a kid I just started jumping because the hill was only some kilometres from my home.
Are you ever afraid of jumping?
- Never. If I was afraid, I wouldn’t jump. I’m so used to jumping and the hills getting bigger that I don’t even think about it.
Are ski jumpers allowed to eat sweets, pizza and other things like that?
- Yes, every now and then it’s ok to eat whatever you want.
You just finished school. What are your plans now?
- Yes, now in December I passed the matriculation examination. Now I concentrate only on ski jumping and in the summer I’ll go to the army. I don’t know yet what I’ll study later on.
How did you combine school and sports?
- It went well because I attended a sports high school. I trained in the mornings and evenings.
What are your hobbies?
- All kinds of sports: ice hockey (goalkeeper), cross-country skiing, tennis, floor ball but skateboarding no more so much.
Describe yourself briefly
- I’m peaceful and conscientious.
Nori profitiert jetzt davon. Ăśbrigens ist er ja jetzt wieder schlanker. Je mehr Sorgen Harri gemacht hat, desto dicker wurde er ja. 
