Jaakko

Jaakko has been our local guide for the past week, and he has been absolutely brilliant. He has been helpful, friendly and funny, but at the same time has been totally relaxed and laid back and has given us lots of freedom.

This evening we went to see the Kips, Kittila's local ice hockey team, play their final match of the season. Jaakko plays for, and also coaches, the Kips, so it was brilliant to see him in action. He is retiring after this match to spend more time with his young family, so I tried to get lots of photos of him in his last game to send to him later.

Unfortunately the Kips lost 5-4, by a Golden Goal in extra time, but Jaakko scored two goals so I think he did his bit for the team! This photo was taken as he did a short lap of honour to wave to the crowd, I think there's a little bit of emotion showing through that chilled out Finnish exterior...