Helena Takalo
# Helena Takalo

Anni Helena Takalo (née Kivioja, born 28 October 1947) is a Finnish former cross-country skier. She was born in Nivala, and was dominant women's cross-country skiing in the 1970s, earning five Winter Olympic medals and four FIS Nordic World Ski Championships medals (golds in 5 km and 4 × 5 km relay (both 1978), and bronzes in 3 × 5 km relay (1970), 10 km (1974), and 20 km (1978).).

Takalo also won the women's 5 km at the Holmenkollen ski festival in 1976. For her cross-country skiing successes, she earned the Holmenkollen medal in 1977 (Shared with Hilkka Riihivuori and Walter Steiner).

## Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

### Olympic Games

* 5 medals – (1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze)

| Year | Age | 5 km | 10 km | 3/4 × 5 km  relay |
| - | - | - | - | - |
| 1968 | 20 | 22 | DNF | — |
| 1972 | 24 | 9 | 5 | Silver |
| 1976 | 28 | Gold | Silver | Silver |
| 1980 | 32 | 5 | Bronze | 5 |

### World Championships

* 5 medals – (2 gold, 3 bronze)

| Year | Age | 5 km | 10 km | 20 km | 3/4 × 5 km  relay |
| - | - | - | - | - | - |
| 1970 | 22 | — | — | — | Bronze |
| 1974 | 26 | — | Bronze | — | 4 |
| 1978 | 30 | Gold | 13 | Bronze | Gold |
| 1982 | 34 | — | — | — | 4 |

### World Cup

**Season standings**

| Season | Age | Overall |
| - | - | - |
| 1982 | 34 | 47 |
