Iivo Niskanen's Race Experience: A Funny Encounter With a Hare

Iivo Niskanen competed in the men's 20 km freestyle race at Ruka, starting strong and leading the pack. However, he ultimately finished in 17th place, 48 seconds behind the leader. Niskanen reflected on his performance, noting that while he felt good early on, he pushed too hard during the third lap, which led to fatigue.

Interestingly, throughout the race, a hare appeared on the course, providing a humorous distraction for the competitors. Niskanen mentioned that the hare persisted on the track for almost a kilometer, much to the amusement of those involved.

Yle Sports expert, Kalle Lassila, praised Niskanen's performance, emphasizing that despite prior health struggles, he showed a strong effort during the race. Lassila suggested that Niskanen might have done even better if he had paced himself more strategically. Overall, the race showcased both the competitive spirit of Nordic skiing and light-hearted moments that can arise even in intense competitions.