Suvi Minkkinen – catching up with our partner athlete
Suvi Minkkinen has been the most popular Finnish biathlete of the current season—at least in our opinion! We met with our partner athlete after the turn of the year to catch up. We also visited the Valukumpu production facility together.
Suvi, how are you doing? How have you been coping with all the media attention?
I’m doing great! The workload has obviously been different now with so many interviews and other media-related activities alongside training and recovery. So, you could say I’ve had “positive problems”! I’ve been spending a little Christmas break at home in Joensuu.
The competitions this season have gone really well. It’s been amazing to realize that I don’t need a “perfect day” to deliver good performances. Traveling from race to race is tough and can throw off your body, but despite that, I’ve noticed an improvement in my fitness level.
You’re currently Finland’s favourite biathlete. How did you first get into the sport?
My brother competed in biathlon when we were kids, and I went to watch one of his races with my dad. Watching from the sidelines, I got so excited that I asked if I could join the training sessions. I was immediately welcomed into the practices and the hobby started then. In 2014, I got to compete in the IBU Cup. After a couple of years there, I moved up to the World Cup, making my debut in 2017.
As a child, I found the shooting aspect of biathlon thrilling. Even now, it’s still pretty cool, especially since the sport combines two completely different disciplines. In shooting, you need to be calm and focused, whereas skiing requires you to push yourself physically to the max. Biathlon is unique in that it has so many aspects to master, offering endless opportunities for improvement.
What does a full-time athlete’s life require?
For me, having a strong sense of determination has been crucial. Since entering the IBU Cup in 2014, I’ve focused on putting in the work to succeed. I’m not much of a dreamer, but I’ve always had the mindset that I’ll give it my all now, so I won’t have any regrets sitting in the rocking chair.
Of course, being an athlete is very different from a “normal” job. Everything—scheduling, decisions, time management—is dictated by training and competitions. But the small victories in everyday life make it rewarding and help build toward bigger goals.
What’s the best and worst thing about competitive sports?
The best thing is seeing your own progress. As I mentioned, those small victories in everyday life keep you motivated. There are so many of them, and they feed into the bigger picture. The worst part is the tight schedules. Sometimes you’d love to spend more time with family, but it’s just not possible.
What goals do you have for this season?
The World Cup season ends in March. My main focus is definitely on the World Championships in Lenzerheide. My goal is to finish in the top six there. In biathlon, flower ceremony positions start from sixth place and up, so that’s what I’m aiming for!
We often ask our experienced athletes for advice to junior athletes. What would you like to say to them?
I’ve often thought about how the sports world tends to emphasize achieving something big before the age of 25 and already being at the top of the world by then. But not every athlete fits into the same mold, and everyone’s background is different. The most important thing is to believe in your own process! Focusing too much on age or stressing about it doesn’t help with training or improve attitudes in the sports world.
Thank you for your timely advice! Do you have any comments about our collaboration? What was your impression of us before your visit?
I’ve had a very positive impression of Ouneva Group for many years, especially since you’re a major local employer. I’ve enjoyed following your content about athletes on social media, and it feels like you genuinely want to connect with your partner athletes. I didn’t know much about the industrial sector, so it’s been great to see what you do here.
Did your impression change after the factory tour?
Absolutely. My main thought was that you must have some really smart people working here!
Thank you, and yes, we do!
We wish Suvi the best of luck in her upcoming competitions. It’s an honor for us to support her athletic career!