Aino-Kaisa Saarinen Questions Finnish Skier's Decision: 'Why?'

Yle shows the World Cup competitions from Les Rousses on January 17–19. You can find the broadcasting details here.

Perttu Hyvärinen has competed in only one World Cup event. Remi Lindholm and Joni Mäki have been in poor form lately. Lauri Vuorinen has also faced challenges after an encouraging start to the season.

As the World Championships in Trondheim are just over a month away, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding the Finnish men's cross-country skiing team.

In regular distance events, Iivo Niskanen has delivered top results alone. Arsi Ruuskanen ranks as the most consistent skier after Finland's top male.

This weekend, the World Cup in Les Rousses will provide crucial indications of the current condition of Finnish male skiers, featuring Niskanen, Ruuskanen, Ristomatti Hakola, Niko Anttola, Vuorinen, and Niilo Moilanen.

Finnish men cannot rely solely on Niskanen during the World Championships if they wish to perform well in the team sprint and the normal relay. They are defending silver medals from the previous Championships.

– At the moment, the relay team resembles the one from Planica, Yle Sports expert Aino-Kaisa Saarinen alludes to the silver-winning team from two years ago.

Perttu Hyvärinen celebrated a World Cup win a little over a year ago, but this season has been fragmented due to injuries. Photo: Tomi Hänninen / Chilipictures

Hakola in Promising Condition
In the Planica silver relay, the quartet consisted of Hakola, Niskanen, Hyvärinen, and Anttola, who had competed in his first adult championships.

– It will definitely depend on the conditions of Hakola and Hyvärinen when they return to the World Cup. If they are completely out of form, we will consider how Ruuskanen is doing, Saarinen evaluates.

At the Championships, the challenge is that all Finnish skiers' strong distances fall on consecutive days.

On March 4, the 10 km interval start races will be held in the classic style. The following days feature the team sprint and the 4 x 7.5 km relay.

A year ago in the Salpausselä World Cup, Niskanen and Vuorinen secured third place in the team sprint, finishing behind two Norwegian teams. Vuorinen was third in the season-opening competition in Ruka but has seen a downward trend in form during the Tour de Ski.

One option for the team sprint has speculated a duo of Niskanen-Hakola.

Hakola, who has faced numerous setbacks in his career, displayed strong form in the Imatra Championships. This is further supported by his ninth place finish in the Davos 20 km classic interval start before Christmas.

Ristomatti Hakola won three Championships in Imatra, with a triumph in the 10 km classic style.

Super Talent in Strong Form
There is more uncertainty regarding the long relay event. According to Saarinen, Ruuskanen’s performances also raise concerns.

Last year at the end of the Tour de Ski, he finished ninth but placed six spots lower this time.

– Even though the final climb of the Tour was supposed to be his best distance, he just didn’t bring that elite skiing. His situation isn't optimal either.

Considered to be Iivo Niskanen’s heir, Niko Anttola showed his best World Cup skiing during the Tour de Ski. Known as a versatile skier, he has been better in the classic style at the start of the season, but his most likely place in the championship relay is in the freestyle segment.

– His performance has been on an upward trajectory. I have seen him more as a freestyle skier, even though he excels at both. His situation looks very promising for the relay team, Saarinen observes.

Arsi Ruuskas has been expected to perform better than seen. Photo: Lehtikuva / Emmi Korhonen

Aino-Kaisa Saarinen sees Niko Anttola’s condition as promising. Photo: Emmi Korhonen / Lehtikuva

"Why?"
Finland’s top female skier Johanna Matintalo will have to sit out the upcoming World Cup races due to a calf injury. Despite this setback, Matintalo is hopeful for the Nordic Championships in Trondheim.

If Matintalo cannot compete in Trondheim, it would greatly hinder Finland's women's relay team's chances of success.

The situation is better for the team sprint as Jasmi Joensuu, Kerttu Niskanen, Krista Pärmäkoski, and Jasmin Kähärä provide options.

Four years ago at Oberstdorf, Joensuu, Matintalo, Riitta-Liisa Roponen, and Pärmäkoski won a surprising medal.

– Matintalo’s potential absence would create a significant gap. A miracle would be needed, just like four years ago. It would require total failure from Sweden.

Jasmi Joensuu achieved her first podium finish during the Tour. She stands as a serious contender for the World Championship team sprint. Source: Viaplay.

Although Matintalo may have her leg in some condition for the World Championships, achieving results is difficult under these circumstances, according to Saarinen.

Matintalo has struggled with a calf problem since the beginning of the season. This condition resurfaced during the Tour de Ski, forcing the skier to withdraw from the event.

Saarinen would have liked to see more prudent decisions from Matintalo.

– When her leg went out, why on earth did she push through the races in Val di Fiemme? Racing there was partially on the upcoming Olympic tracks, and so she gained no benefit from it. It certainly didn’t improve her leg condition, Saarinen wonders.