Tuesday May 13th, 2003

Formula One World Championship leader Kimi Raikkonen warmed up for this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix with a trip to his native Finland last Sunday - to watch the final of the Ice Hockey World Championship.

Raikkonen, who played the game as a defender in his hometown of Espoo when he was younger, was joined by model fiancee Jenni to watch the match between Canada and Sweden at the Hartwall Areena in Helsinki.

He is not allowed to return to the ice for fear of injury, but he admitted: "I did play just before the start of the season when I helped a friend coaching. It is good for fitness - it requires you to have quick reflexes."

Raikkonen met Finnish hockey legend Jari Kurri and the managing director of the national team, Hexi Riihiranta, before the game and was greeted with cheers and a "Welcome Kimi" sign before the match.

But after the Finnish side were knocked out by the Swedes in the quarter-finals, he said: "It's a shame Finland were not in the final, as this is their home venue."

Published at 14:06:49 GMT

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