Orsa2Levi is a weekly podcast with many interesting guests in the world of long distance skiing. Tomorrow, Heli Heiskanen will be the guest talking about her long career and future prospects.
Heiskanen has been the most successful Finnish female athlete in Visma Ski Classics. She has represented many international Pro Teams, and she is very content with the one she is part of right now.
Her team Slavia Pojistovna Team comes from the Czech Republic, and its most recognizable name is Stanislav Rezac, a legend of the sport. Heli spent two months in the Czech Republic training with Stanislav, and according to her she trained like a man.
“I trained about 24 hours per week throughout the summer, and I did the same sessions as Stanislav. I took some days off here and there and used faster roller-skis than Stanislav, but I trained according to his methods. I feel that I’m in great shape now, and I can’t wait to see if this bears fruit this winter,” Heli says on the podcast.
Season XI was a great disappointment to Heli as she had trained well before the season started and had high hopes for it.
“I had so much on my plate last winter. I’m a sensitive person, and outside things can affect me and my performance very easily. I even considered quitting in the spring, but my teammates persuaded me to continue. That’s when the idea of spending the whole summer in Bedrichov came about. I’m now energized again, and I feel that I still have much to achieve in skiing. I know that the upcoming season will be harder than ever, but I ready for it.”
On the podcast, Heli will talk about her background, training with Rezac, her teaching job in junior high, her future plans and goals in life. The podcast is hosted by Teemu Virtanen. It is available on all possible podcast platforms and on the Visma Ski Classics website.
