Finnish Ski Association Solves Equipment Truck Issues with Team Electrofit Collaboration

Finnish Ski Association Solves Equipment Truck Issues with Team Electrofit Collaboration

Originally published in Yle on October 30, 2024

Vilma Nissinen Matti Haavisto Markus Vuorela Team Electrofit Lauri Lepistö Anni Alakoski

The Finnish Ski Association and Team Electrofit are joining forces to bring the national team’s service truck to the snow camp in Olos. This collaboration arises from the Association's difficult financial situation, which has sparked discussions including the introduction of participant fees for athletes in World Cup events.

One key issue was ensuring the service truck could make it to Olos. Now, the Association has announced that the truck will be made available in cooperation with Team Electrofit, a private racing team specializing in endurance sports. Electrofit includes twelve athletes this season, such as Vilma Nissinen, Anni Alakoski, Markus Vuorela, and Lauri Lepistö.

With this partnership, the service costs in Olos will significantly drop. The athletes can leave their racing skis in the truck before the national team training camp and World Cup season starts in Ruka. Electrofit athletes will also have the opportunity to test their skis for the competition season and will receive full race service for the snow-making competitions in Olos on November 15–17.

Olos provides excellent conditions for preparing for the Ruka World Cup, making it a traditional training ground for both domestic and international top skiers. Matti Haavisto, the maintenance manager of the Ski Association, expressed his satisfaction with the collaboration: "We are pleased that our cooperation with Electrofit is so seamless. Now we've managed to arrange the service truck in Olos, which will serve all our athletes. Without this partnership, it would not have been financially sensible."

Team Electrofit's team leader, Simo-Viljami Ojanen, emphasized that this cooperation benefits the entire Finnish cross-country skiing community: "We want the whole Finnish cross-country skiing to succeed. Cooperation across different fronts is essential for finding new ways and models to achieve success. We believe conflict does not support anyone's success."

The national team will train in Olos from November 7 to 18, while Team Electrofit will be there from November 3 to 13.

Correction at 10:38: Removed Hilla Niemelä's name as she is not part of Team Electrofit.