Inka Hämäläinen – new challenges with familiar partners

Biathlete Inka Hämäläinen is preparing for the upcoming competition season in the general class. We caught up with our sponsored athlete just before she headed to Anterselva for a Finnish national team training camp and asked how she is feeling as the new season approaches.

Inka discovered biathlon at the age of eight through a beginner-friendly event that gave young people the opportunity to try the sport. Now 20, she already has a few years of experience competing at World Cup level, and the upcoming season will be her first in the general class. She laughs that it feels like a bit of an age crisis, but also sees plenty of positives in the transition, including a more straightforward competition calendar. The level in the general class is high, but Inka’s goals are clear: a consistent season, as many race starts as possible and plenty of valuable experience.

We asked Inka how she handles pressure. She says she actually enjoys it and sometimes even wishes she felt a little more nervous. What she likes most about high pressure situations is the opportunity to prove to herself that she can perform and that she has what it takes. At the same time, Inka believes it is important to have a reality check every now and then. Sport is a big part of life, but in the end, it is still just sport. There is no need to put unnecessary pressure on yourself.

After a little time to reflect, Inka reviews difficult training days and races analytically with her coach. Moving forward from challenging moments is easier when the motivation to develop as an athlete is strong. Inka says she is constantly learning something new, and especially recently, her feeling that “this is what I am meant to do” has only grown stronger.

One thing that has particularly surprised Inka about competing at World Cup level is the positive atmosphere, both among the spectators and between the athletes themselves. Finnish biathlon fans are familiar with the ringing of cowbells and the lively crowds, but Inka also highlights the strong sense of community among the competitors. In the Finnish World Cup team, she describes the atmosphere as professional yet relaxed.

Her long standing partnership with Ouneva Group is important to Inka. The support gives her stability and allows her to focus on developing as an athlete. A significant part of the support goes towards training camps, as it does for many of our other partner athletes. Inka sees these camps as valuable training periods because they allow her to focus fully on the sport without the routines and responsibilities of everyday life.

One thing is certain: on race day, the race socks are coming on. The competition season begins in mid-November, and Inka is heading into the new season with plenty of enthusiasm, a strong focus on quality training and, of course, a good pair of socks.

You can follow Inka’s journey on Instagram.