Matti Heikkinen

Matti Heikkinen ( born December 19, 1983 in Kajaani ) is a Finnish cross-country skiers.

Life and career

Heikkinen first appeared at the Junior World Championships in 2002 in Schonach internationally in appearance. Over a distance of 10 km freestyle, he finished in eighth place as the best Finnish participants. This result he was able to improve a year later in Sollefteå 10-kilometer classic one place. This allowed him his first cap in the Cross Country World Cup, where he but with places far outside the World Cup points could not convince. In the season 2004/ 05 the first time he managed to win a World Cup point of the 30 km freestyle in Ramsau. Nevertheless, Heikkinen was still used only rarely in the World Cup. Only in the 2007/ 08 season he achieved a breakthrough in the World Cup. In domestic Lahti he surprised classic ninth over the distance of 15 kilometers. At the World Cup finals in Bormio was able to confirm in this result. The prologue about 3.3 km freestyle, he finished 13th place and was in the final pursuit competition over 15 km freestyle secure the 14th place in the standings with the fastest time of all participants.

Also, to kick off the 2008/09 season was Heikkinen in the squad of the Finnish Cup team and was able to convince with a 19th place and with the Finnish season in which he lying handed as the third leg in the lead at the final runners both 15 km freestyle. He was able to record at the Nordic World Ski Championships 2009 in Liberec His biggest success. Heikkinen won over 15 km in the classical style, the bronze medal. A week later he secured together with Sami Jauhojärvi, Teemu Kattilakoski and Ville Nousiainen the bronze medal in the relay. His first World Cup victory celebrated Heikkinen in the season 2009/10. In Davos, he was able to prevail over 15 km freestyle against any of its competitors in the competition.

On 26 February 2011, he celebrated his greatest success when he became world champion in the 15 km classical style was at the Nordic World Ski Championships 2011 in Oslo.

Victories in World Cup race

Singles

(WCE ) = stage victory during a World Cup stage race. These achievements do not count as World Cup victories by an official way of counting.