The Flying Finn – Matti Nykänen

A few days ago, we received sad news that Matti Nykänen had died, one of the most excellent ski jumpers ever. He was extremely popular in the 80s, known for his brave mentality and eccentric behavior. He was an icon and a true hero for many people at that time. I remember when I was a kid, even though we didn’t care much about winter sports, when ski jumping was on TV, everybody would be glued to their screens, watching the Flying Finn do his thing.

Ski jumping, on its own, is a hazardous sport, but he took it a few steps further. When you watch him, you get the feeling that he is ready to risk his life, right there, right that moment, to get the best possible jump. He lived for those historic moments.

In private life, he was not a tiny bit less boring, with constant troubles with alcohol, multiple wives, and bar fights. At one point, he was even a male stripper in a nightclub, forced probably by financial troubles he ran into.

YIN METAL IN NEED OF ACTION

We looked into his Chart to try to decipher where this excessive behavior comes from. He is a Yin Metal Master Element, which suggests he enjoys being in the center of the show, as most Yin Metal people do. It’s an intense Yin Metal, which means he was well-built for sports, physical activity, and training.

The second most crucial detail is his Pioneer Talent. This is what made him energetic and eccentric. This Pioneer Talent is cooperating with Philosopher, which is another Talent known for eccentric behavior. These two Talents work very well together, making him an independent type of person, someone who doesn’t like to rely on others or work for others. If he weren’t a ski jumper, with this Chart, he could have been a pretty good entrepreneur, as well.

He competed between 1981 and 1991, and during this time, he was in a Fire Element period, which was precisely what he needed. It made his Metal Element active and boosted his POWER Component and charisma, making him popular worldwide.

In 2016, he entered the Ox period, which clashed with his Goat and most likely caused a chain of reactions that led to his premature death. He lived 110%, always on the edge, not sparing a single atom of energy for the future, and, unfortunately, life caught up with him way too early.

Another detail: he had a clash between Rooster and Rabbit, which, in his case, represents relationship troubles. He had often had physical fights with his wife, and a few times he even ended up in prison for that. This was definitely his biggest Chart weakness.

In any case. He will be remembered for generations, The Flying Finn, one of the bravest men who ever walked this Earth. A troubled life, but never dull, just the way he liked it.

A true pioneer, destined for greatness, bored with everyday life.