Finland's Skiing Hope Softens Superstar - Jasmin Kähärä is Frustrated Despite Career Best

Finland's skiing hope softens superstar – Jasmin Kähärä is frustrated despite career-best performance

Jasmin Kähärä reached her career-best position in the World Cup sprint at Lillehammer, finishing seventh. A week prior, she had been sick.

Kähärä was the only Finnish skier to make it to the top 12 in Lillehammer, reaching the semifinals. She confidently navigated her heat in a controlled manner.

She also had the potential to qualify for the finals. In the slower semifinal, the 24-year-old Finnish skier displayed a strong sprint finish, placing third in the heat, outpacing American superstar Jessie Diggins.

Yle's expert Kalle Lassila was enthusiastic about Kähärä's impressive sprint.

This rank was commendable, given her recent illness earlier in the week. "In the semifinal, I felt good, but I was too passive in the group. It felt like I had energy left in reserve. It’s a bit frustrating, but next week, there are good races ahead," Kähärä alluded to the upcoming Davos races.

Kähärä pondered which lane to take during her final sprint. "There's a bit of frustration left. Still, this was a positive race," Kähärä reflected.

In the finals, Sweden’s Jonna Sundling showcased an impressive performance, winning with a three-second lead ahead of compatriot Johanna Hagström.

Norwegian Julie Myhre finished third.

Important Display Ahead of World Championships

Kähärä considered her participation in the race leading up to Lillehammer. She was only competing in the sprint there, which is part of the World Championship program in Trondheim. The Lillehammer sprint is the only freestyle sprint in the World Cup before the low-altitude Trondheim race.

"A few days ago, during trials, it felt like there weren't enough reserves to compete in two races. Today was an important race. There aren't many freestyle sprints raced at low altitude this season, but we will have them in the World Championships. I wanted to invest everything in this day, and it turned out to be worth it."

Jasmi Joensuu also showed promise during the qualifiers but missed the semifinals.

Last week, Joensuu finished fifth in the Ruka sprint finals. She placed just outside the semifinals this time.

Joensuu, who had second-best qualifying time after Sweden's dominant Jonna Sundling, expressed optimism despite not making it through. She noted that she isn't far from the podium placements and believed in her fitness.

In the men’s sprint, Norway's Johannes Hösflot Kläbo secured victory, followed by Even Northug and Italy's 34-year-old Federico Pellegrino.

Finals Results: 1. Jonna Sundling (SWE) 2:50.10 2. Johanna Hagström (SWE) +3.05 3. Julie Myhre (NOR) +3.60 4. Victoria Carl (GER) +6.22 5. Emma Ribom (SWE) +6.39 6. Katerina Janatova (CZE) +6.49 Finnish Results: 7. Jasmin Kähärä
13. Jasmi Joensuu
14. Katri Lylynperä
26. Hilla Niemelä
...
37. Amanda Saari
41. Kerttu Niskanen

Men's Finals Results:

1. Johannes H. Kläbo (NOR) 2:32.64
2. Even Northug (NOR) +1.22
3. Federico Pellegrino (ITA) +1.57
4. Matz William Jenssen (NOR) +2.19
5. Lucas Chanavat (FRA) +2.96
6. Aleksander Elde Holm (NOR) +4.73

Finnish Men Results: 19. Joni Mäki
22. Niilo Moilanen
23. Lauri Vuorinen
28. Eero Rantala
...
38. Emil Liekari