Finnish skijumpers look for three medals

"It was our target to be the best team in 2002, but we already won the Nations Cup last season. Our target is three medals," Kojonkoski told a news conference Wednesday.

Kojonkoski has a strong team spearheaded by experienced Janne Ahonen, a 1997 normal hill gold medallist and two-times team event champion.

Ahonen is keen to make up for three fourth-place finishes from the last edition 1999 in his home town: "I am happy to jump at home and want a medal."

Finland are big favourites in both team events (large hill plus a new event on the normal hill). Ahonen, Risto Jussilainen and the Hautamaki brothers, Jussi and Matti, all stand a chance to medal in the individual events. The first ski jumping event is Sunday.

(kil/dpa)