Juha Mieto - «The Nordic Giant»

Juha Iisakki Mieto (born 20 November 1949) is a Finnish former cross-country skier, who was born in Kurikka. He competed in the 1972, 1976, 1980 and 1984 Olympics and won five medals, including a gold medal in the 4 × 10 km relay in 1976. He also placed fourth three times, losing the 15 km bronze medal in 1972 by 0.06 seconds. He finished second in this event in 1980 in the closest-ever margin of victory in Olympic cross-country skiing, 0.01 seconds, which led the International Ski Federation (FIS) to round all of their times to the nearest 1/10 second in future competitions.[1] Mieto was selected as the Finnish flag bearer at the 1972 Winter Olympics.[2]

[@user-gj8fr3vg5k]

ВЕЛИКИЙ

[@user-gj8fr3vg5k]

ЮХОО ВЕЛИКИЙ

[@peterstreiff3811]

I ❤ Juha Mieto 🇫🇮! Peter from 🇨🇭 Switzerland

[@mikemaatta216]

He was one of my cross country racing Hero's when I raced as a young man !! He was incredible !!!

[@jjmuni]

That’s exactly like it should be done stylistically and with that determination. Perfect

[@wowawowa5164]

Legenda! Suosikki ulkomaalainen hiihtäjä Elena Vyalbe.

[@smartmapmappin2228]

Здоровья Юхи!

[@spirikraft1970]

Будь здоров!

[@tatyanaivanova2951]

Очень крутой мужик.

[@pallew6898]

King Kong of XC-skiing!

[@wowawowa5164]

Marie-Lisa and Harvey Kirvisniemi. Marjo Mattikainen.
In Russia, they are remembered and tributes are expected from you.

[@magnuslarsson5242]

Old school

[@xcskiing_universe]

Verdens tyngste profesjonelle skiløper!

[@domdole]

Kovanluokan Urheilija ja persoona tuollaisia syntyy harvoin Mietaan Jussi on Äijä.

[@Katinka68fi]

Enää ei voi mämmiä syödä ilman ,että aina tulee mieleen Juha Mieto 😂

[@JohnP470]

Another good video! I especially like the footage showing him splitting firewood. (Although I could show him a better technique).

[@Jari.Isometsa]

Thank you🐐

[@ingarhusemoen1376]

Mieto was my absolute favourite in the 70’s. I was 10 years old in 1976, and from Norway…😊

[@bekanav]

I doubt it. He has split 1m3 (ca. 35cu.ft) of firewood in a bit more than 9 minutes. Mieto was 58 and it was a world record in 2007

[@JohnP470]

@@bekanav I doubt that! I heat my home in northern North America with wood which I cut, split and haul entirely by myself with a Stihl 360 chain saw, a 6 lb (3 kilo) maul and a Toyota pickup. I cut 3-5 full cords (4x4x8 ft) a year. In the clip of Mieto spliting wood - which looked like spruce to me - a very easy wood to split - his technique was terrible. He was a great skier but not even a mediocre wood-spliter.
And by the way, that record you mentioned must be a joke. Spilting wood is highly variable. Some types (like spruce) are very easy to split. Other types (like American Elm) are almost impossible. The moisture content is also important - moister (more freshly cut) wood is much easier to split than dry. So, the record is meaningless. If he split that much spruce or pine, it is not at all impressive. If it was oak or beech, that would be impressive. So, the record is meaningless without more information.

[@bekanav]

@@JohnP470 Usually fire wood in Finland is birch, which is hard wood and in competitions it is also birch. Competitions are not usually that official but more like show numbers in some events.
Birch is easiest to split when it is cold, like -20C. My grandpa did 65m3 (18 full chords) in his last winter before he died at 65, cutting it with hand saw and splitting with axe. He went to forest using bicycle or skis, he didn't have a car or even driving license. Also Mieto has told he used to cut wood with hand saw when he was skiing and did forest work for training (which was usual for old time pro skiers). When he was young boy chain saws were rare in Finland, not even many professional lumber jacks had them in 1960's

[@tomilaiho7498]

As they say even swan can fly.

[@sergeypesotskiy4076]

I wonder why mass starts were introduced so late in the cross-country history.. we've lost so many epic face to face battles between individuals - just few legendary relays left..

[@Jari.Isometsa]

Would have been cool to see Juha Mieto, Thomas Wassberg and Gunde Svan in some Mass start duels

[@kaiheltola921]

So late? So far I know all the early cross country competitions were mass starts, over 100 years ago.

[@sergeypesotskiy4076]

@@kaiheltola921 i am talking about "professional" sports - olympics and world championships post-wwii. no contact fights except relays (which are exciting to look at even now - e.g.1956 Soviet vs Finland women team fight footage). Probably pursuits in 1980's helped mass starts to become a tendency..

[@kaiheltola921]

@@sergeypesotskiy4076 I am talking too! Did you know, that for example in one skiing competition, in the end of 1800:s, the first prize was an amount of money a normal worker could have earned working one hole year! You should read great skiing history books Kirjavainen: Suomalaisia mestarihiihtäjä I and II.

[@jjmuni]

I loved the race against my own devils and limitations or against the clock as a pro in biathlon in my youth.
It’s a different thing and way before entertainment…

[@perelofsson100]

Hi! Whats is music this video?

[@Jari.Isometsa]

The guardian of angels

[@perelofsson100]

Okey! I make Tribute to Mika Myllylä and it is now in youtube! Please come to check!

[@Lauris6462]

Juha Mieto weigs this time 100-105 kg