As it stands, two ski coaches are to stay home, doing their instructing by telephone.
Estonians in Sochi to lack helping hands
22nd January 2014, 15:24
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With the numbers of sportsmen headed to Sochi Olympics now known, tickets can be divided between coaches, physiotherapists, and service guys. Which is no easy job. For each sportsman, one support person can be dispatched; thus, 23 all in all – a couple of persons short. In case extra skiers aren’t added, two coaches will be left behind.
According to Martti Raju, top sports chief at Estonian Olympic Committee, there will be three persons in Sochi outside the quota: himself, the EOC president Neinar Seli, as the boss, and Merle Kaljurand – as attaché. The rest of the bunch is limited to 23 persons. EOC will grab two places: for physician Mihkel Mardna and press chief Sven Sommer.
The two figure skiers – Jelena Glebova and Viktor Romanenkov – have three assistants: coaches of both, and the Estonian Skating Union secretary-general Gunnar Kuura. «Everybody else will live and compete in the mountains; figure skaters alone are in Sochi and, therefore, need someone to look after them,» explained Mr Raju.
Biathlonists, nine of them, are the largest delegation to Sochi. They are helped by seven people: team leader, two coaches, physiotherapist, and three service guys.
«This time, we will not cooperate with the cross-country, with waxing the skis,» explained the biathlonists’ secretary general Kristjan Oja. «We decided that in the spring, already. We do compete at the same altitudes and in the same region, but still apart from each other. Logistically, it is complicated to make things work; the more so that the events fall on the same days.»
Thus, a dozen places are gone, and the skiers can take along 11 helpers for the 11 of them. And then it gets tough.
In Nordic Combined (ski jump plus cross-country), four will compete, minimally accepting two helpers – a coach and a service guy – should they secure physiotherapist and ski waxing services from cross-country camp.
«Our events are held lower in the mountains, let’s see how it will work,» explained their secretary general Roomet Pikkor.
Ski jumper Kaarel Nurmsalu has the Finnish team coach behind him, his skis also serviced by our Northern neighbours; even so, he could use a manager at the Games – someone to arrange transport and practice times, also attending representatives’ meetings. «I would be in trouble, having to make it alone, in Sochi,» admitted Mr Nurmsalu. Ski Union understands; thus, Toomas, his father and also a coach, will be there to assist.
Alpine skiers will be two. Warren Cummings Smith can take along the coach; if possible Triin Tobi’s instructor may get to go on account of those leaving.
For the whole bunch of them, skiers get a physiotherapist. Also, Mr Raju demands that the ski association secretary-general Jaak Mae be there – somebody to take care of the skiing business at the Games.
Counting it all up, only five places remain to be divided between cross-country coaches and the waxing crew. The latter cannot be less than four. Therefore: of the three coaches – Mati Alaver, Anatoli Šmigun, Christoph Schmid – two must stay home.
According to Ski Association sports director Raul Olle, it’s quite a headache with the helps personnel numbers. «Even so, we will make no decision until we know, with finality, weather a sixth or even seventh skier can be sent to Sochi. In that case things would ease up.»
Ski Association confirms Olympic team
Coaches council of Estonian Ski Association has confirmed sportsmen headed to Sochi Olympics. On Thursday, the list will have to be ratified by executive committee of Estonian Olympic Committee.
As decided by Ski Association, the following cross-country skiers will participate: Peeter Kümmel, Aivar Rehemaa, Algo Kärp, Triin Ojaste, Karel Tammjärv.
A waiting list is in place in case additional places free up; this, however, will not be published. «We will only disclose the names of the sportsmen if we get the extra places,» explained Ski Association secretary-general Jaak Mae. «Otherwise, we cause unneeded anxiety.»
The skiers may get one or two extra places.
Of Nordic Combined competitors, Estonia sends Karl-August Tiirmaa, Kristjan Ilves, Han-Hendrik Piho, and Kail Piho. Of ski jumpers, Kaarel Nurmsalu; of Alpine skiers, Warren Cummings Smith and Triin Tobi.