Iivo Niskanen Skips Tour de Ski – Shares Heartbreaking Social Media Update

Iivo Niskanen is skipping the Tour de Ski due to illness, according to the Ski Federation's announcement.

"First, I had to cancel Christmas, and now I'm missing the Tour de Ski. Let's see next year," Niskanen wrote on Instagram.

In the men's World Cup standings, Niskanen ranks sixth as the best non-Norwegian contestant. He is currently fourth in the normal distances cup.

The World Championships will take place in Trondheim at the end of February and beginning of March, so there is still plenty of time for recovery and training.

Earlier on Friday, Perttu Hyvärinen also announced his withdrawal from the tour, citing health issues following a minor illness after the World Cup in Davos.

Due to these withdrawals, Finland will only have four male competitors in the Tour: Niko Anttola, Niilo Moilanen, Arsi Ruuskanen, and Lauri Vuorinen. For the women, the participants will be Jasmi Joensuu, Jasmin Kähärä, Johanna Matintalo, Kerttu Niskanen, and Krista Pärmäkoski.

The Tour de Ski kicks off with free sprints in Toblach, Italy, on Saturday.