It was sold out for the second day of competition in the Finnkampen between Sweden and Finland, which celebrates one hundred years. The world star Armand Duplantis was the big draw in the men's pole vault, which he won with a modest 5.80 meters for him.
Several of the Swedish stars had a hard time doing themselves justice in windy, slightly rainy and just over ten-degree conditions at Stockholm Stadium.
Engla Nilsson, who made a big breakthrough when she took bronze at the indoor European Championship in Apeldoorn in March, only managed 1.86 meters – eight centimeters worse than her personal record of 1.94, which she set earlier this year.
Praised the audience
The result was not what I had hoped for today, says the high jumper and adds:
It was extremely fun to compete here today in front of the Swedish audience. It was a great atmosphere and everything was absolutely wonderful.
Ella Junnila was the only jumper over 1.88 and secured a Finnish victory in the event ahead of Nilsson, who shared second place with Louise Ekman. Ellen Ekholm shared fourth place with Ella Mikkola and Aino Aalto finished sixth.
Double lead
In the women's 200 meters, Sweden secured a triple. Favorite-tipped Julia Henriksson won with a time of 23.16, just over four tenths from her season's best of 22.74.
Of course it (the cold) affects. You're a sprinter, it's supposed to be warm. But at the Finnkampen, it's actually not the times that matter, it's the placements, she says.
After Nilsson's and Henriksson's disappointments, 1,500-meter runner Wilma Nielsen and discus thrower Vanessa Kamga set a Finnkampen record each. Nielsen ran to a winning time of 4.08.12 and Kamga won with 64.22 meters.
The Swedish women lead with 143.5 against the Finns' 105.5 and the men lead with 137 against Finland's 111. Finland won both matches in Helsinki last year.
