Iivo Niskanen's Christmas Threat Backfires, Receives Harsh Response from Norway – Still a Great Moment Behind the Scenes with the Winner

Iivo Niskanen faced disappointment in Davos as his bold declaration to spoil the Christmas cheer for Norwegians did not go as planned. Instead of winning, he came in second place in the 20 km classic skiing race, falling short against Norway's Martin Löwström Nyenget, who secured victory by 13.1 seconds. Upon crossing the finish line, Niskanen was humorously chided by NRK's expert Fredrik Aukland for not delivering on his threat.

Despite the competitive banter, both Niskanen and Nyenget were able to share a few laughs post-race. Niskanen, using the defeat as motivation, stated his determination to perform better at the upcoming World Championships scheduled for early next year in Trondheim. The interaction between the two athletes was light-hearted and enjoyable, evidencing mutual respect despite their rivalry, as seen in a video shared after the podium ceremony where Niskanen playfully pulled Nyenget in a sled. Enjoying the post-race atmosphere, both were reminded of the sportsmanship inherent in their competition, making for a memorable day even amidst the rivalry.