Reeta Hamalainen has clarified the real mundane reason behind her and Janne Tuohino's unexpected exit from the 2021 Arctic Rally Finland.
Renowned co-driver Reeta Hamalainen has shed light on the real reasons behind her and Janne Tuohino’s unexpected withdrawal from the 2021 Arctic Rally Finland.
In an engaging episode of the WRC Backstories podcast, hosted by Rally.TV's Becs Williams, Hamalainen detailed the events that led to their departure from this high-profile race.
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During the podcast, Hamalainen, who has transitioned from a successful career in equestrian sports to becoming a world title-winning co-driver, described the sequence of mundane yet unfortunate events that contradicted the more sensational rumors circulating at the time.
She explained that after completing Saturday's leg in 12th place overall the duo was set for a promising finish before an innocuous incident thwarted their plans.
“The truth is actually less dramatic than the rumors. Janne wasn’t coming out of the sauna at our team hotel when it happened. Instead, he slipped on ice right outside his apartment door after having been in the sauna. It’s such a simple accident, but it had significant consequences," Hamalainen revealed.
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The rumors that swirled around their withdrawal ranged from a mishap in the sauna to allegations of excessive partying the night before the final leg of the rally.
Hamalainen addressed these speculations head-on, emphasizing the commitment and financial investment Tuohino brought into the rally.
“The idea that we were partying is so far from the truth. You don’t understand the investment and the dreams tied up in this,” she added.
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