Kari Härkönen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Kari Härkönen |
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| Country |  Finland |
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| Born | 16 July 1959 Ristijärvi, Finland |
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| World Cup career | |||||||||||||||||
| Seasons | 5 – (1982–1986) | ||||||||||||||||
| Individual wins | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Team wins | 0 | ||||||||||||||||
| Indiv. podiums | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Team podiums | 1 | ||||||||||||||||
| Indiv. starts | 16 | ||||||||||||||||
| Team starts | 2 | ||||||||||||||||
| Overall titles | 0 – (7th in 1985) | ||||||||||||||||
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Medal record
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Kari Härkönen was a talented Finnish cross-country skier. He was born on July 16, 1959, in Ristijärvi, Finland. Kari competed in the early 1980s and achieved great success in his sport.
He is best known for winning two important medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships. These included a gold medal in the 15-kilometer race in 1985. He also earned a bronze medal in the 4 × 10-kilometer relay race in 1982.
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Kari Härkönen's Skiing Journey
Kari Härkönen was a professional cross-country skier. This sport involves skiing across different terrains, often over long distances. Skiers use special skis and poles to move quickly over snow.
Kari competed in many big events during his career. His results show how dedicated and skilled he was. He represented Finland on the world stage.
Olympic Games Participation
Kari Härkönen took part in the Winter Olympic Games. This is a huge event where athletes from all over the world compete.
- In 1980, when he was 20 years old, he competed in the 15-kilometer race. He finished in 19th place.
- He also competed in the 1984 Winter Olympics held in Sarajevo. There, he finished 13th in the 15-kilometer event. Competing in the Olympics is a major achievement for any athlete.
World Championship Success
Kari Härkönen had some of his biggest triumphs at the World Championships. These events are very important in cross-country skiing.
- In 1982, at the World Championships in Oslo, Norway, Kari won a bronze medal. This was for the 4 × 10-kilometer relay race. He was part of a team that worked together to achieve this.
- His greatest victory came in 1985 at the World Championships in Seefeld, Austria. He won a gold medal in the 15-kilometer individual race. This was a huge moment in his career. He also placed 5th in the 30 km race and 4th in the 50 km race and 4 × 10 km relay at the same championships.
World Cup Performance
The World Cup is a series of races held throughout the skiing season. Skiers earn points based on their performance in these races.
Kari Härkönen competed in the World Cup for several seasons. His best overall ranking was 7th in the 1984–85 season.
He also achieved individual podium finishes, meaning he placed in the top three in specific races:
- In December 1984, he finished 2nd in a 15-kilometer individual race in Cogne, Italy.
- In January 1985, he won the 15-kilometer individual race in Seefeld, Austria. This win was also part of his World Championship gold medal.
Kari also helped his team achieve success. In February 1982, his team earned a 3rd place podium finish in the 4 × 10-kilometer relay race in Oslo, Norway. His teammates were Aki Karvonen, Harri Kirvesniemi, and Juha Mieto.
Kari Härkönen's career shows his dedication and skill in cross-country skiing. He is remembered for his gold medal and other strong performances.
