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Training | A Company Operating in Konalassa Listens to Top Athletes' Questions and Concerns Via App
🇫🇮 Finland /Technology

Training | A Company Operating in Konalassa Listens to Top Athletes' Questions and Concerns Via App

From Helsingin Sanomat · (6m ago) Finnish Positive tone

Translated from Finnish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Saha Training, a Finnish coaching technology company, aims for global expansion by providing personalized training through a digital app integrating AI and expert knowledge.
  • The company has supported Finnish alpine skiers Eduard Hallberg and Elian Lehto in achieving international success.
  • Founder Samuel Haanpää emphasizes the importance of individualized coaching, contrasting it with Finland's perceived "leveling" culture, and highlights the adaptability of their training methods to athletes' needs.

Helsinki – A Finnish sports technology firm, Saha Training, is charting an ambitious course for the global market, leveraging digital innovation to deliver elite athletic coaching. Based in Konalassa, the company has been instrumental in propelling Finnish alpine skiers Eduard Hallberg and Elian Lehto onto the international stage, demonstrating the efficacy of their unique approach to training.

I developed by leaps and bounds and realized, why don't we have similar coaching in Finland.

— Samuel HaanpääReflecting on his experience in the US and the need for individualized coaching in Finland.

Saha Training utilizes a sophisticated digital application that combines artificial intelligence with the deep expertise of seasoned coaches. This platform offers highly personalized training regimens, a stark contrast to what founder Samuel Haanpää describes as a prevailing "leveling" culture in Finland. Haanpää, drawing from his experiences in the United States, recognized the transformative power of individualized coaching and sought to bring that model to his home country.

I have been training with Saha for five summers and have continuously improved.

— Elian LehtoDescribing the positive impact of Saha Training on his performance.

Alpine skiers Hallberg and Lehto have been training with Saha Training's programs for several summers. Their primary mentor, Harri Yrttiaho, brings a diverse background in sports coaching, having previously worked with teams in ice hockey and basketball. Yrttiaho's philosophy centers on listening intently to the athlete and adapting training schedules dynamically, a crucial aspect given the unpredictable nature of alpine skiing calendars, which are often subject to weather-related changes.

Alpine skiing is a skill sport, and that must be taken into account in physical training.

— Elian LehtoEmphasizing the importance of sport-specific considerations in training.

Yrttiaho's journey into alpine skiing coaching began in 2018, collaborating with skier Samu Torsti. This initial partnership involved a significant learning curve, with Yrttiaho acknowledging that they made numerous mistakes while refining their methods. However, these trials have paved the way for the success enjoyed by current athletes like Hallberg and Lehto, who now benefit from the fruits of those early experiments. Saha Training's focus on tailored development and adaptability positions it as a significant player in the future of sports technology.

I immediately contact Harri and ask what kind of training is being done now.

— Elian LehtoHighlighting the flexible and responsive nature of the training program.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Helsingin Sanomat in Finnish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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