Iivo Niskanen Hushed the Crowd After Dominating Victory: 'Living Legend'

Iivo Niskanen Hushed the Crowd After Dominating Victory: 'Living Legend'

Originally published in NRK on November 29, 2024

Iivo Niskanen hushed the crowd and celebrated his lead after defeating fellow competitors in Ruka, Finland. Niskanen triumphed in the 10 km classic race, finishing a significant 12 seconds ahead of his nearest rival.

Reflecting on last year's performance at the same event, where he lost by 2.9 seconds, Niskanen expressed satisfaction with his start to the season, saying, "Last year was a bit unfortunate; this year I was more than lucky."

With his emphatic win, Niskanen has asserted himself as the one to beat in upcoming events, particularly as the World Championships approach in Trondheim in 2025.

His celebratory antics, including shouting and throwing his poles, elicited mixed reactions from the audience, but overall highlighted his strong emotions and competitive spirit. Experts in the field praised his performances and noted that he would be a formidable contender leading into the World Championships.