Lake Placid (RWH)  He visited the country whose colors he wears for the first time last summer. This is the main reason why the first Finn to compete in the Viessmann World Cup does not receive any support from his homeland. “They don’t even know what I’m doing here,” said Tristan Jeskanen. The 19-year-old managed to make a name for himself on his debut.

Jeskanen, who holds dual citizenship in the USA and Finland, qualified for the field of the 32 top men at the Viessmann World Cup in Lake Placid on his first attempt, finishing in 29th place on the results list. His remarkable debut was also rewarded with 12 World Cup points, leaving him ranked 38th after two events. “My goal is to compete in the 2018 Winter Olympics in PyeongChang,” said a determined Jeskanen.

He may soon be able to count on backing from his elected Scandinavian homeland, where word is slowly spreading about a young Finnish luger. For financial reasons, Jeskanen’s winter season has so far been limited to his sole appearance at the World Cup in Lake Placid, which us just an hour’s drive from his home.

The slender athlete began his career on the US team as a doubles partner to Justin Krewson. The duo came eighth at the 2013 Junior World Championships in Park City, Utah, and finished last season in 11th place. Jeskanen was left out in the cold when US coaches appointed Andrew Sherk as Krewson’s new doubles partner at the end of last winter. Since then, he has been trying his luck in the single seater under the Finnish flag, and things seem to look promising, if Jeskanen’s appearance in Lake Placid is any indication.