Harsh sight at the SM Championships start line – Ristomatti Hakola suggests a solution from Norway

The first Finnish Cross-Country Skiing Championships of the season are set to take place this weekend in Imatra, providing an opportunity for athletes who may find themselves in the spotlight due to other absences. Several national team skiers are skipping this event due to the recent Tour de Ski and illnesses that have affected their training schedules.

Notable absences include Iivo Niskanen and Perttu Hyvärinen, who have also previously suffered from illnesses before the Tour. Meanwhile, Ristomatti Hakola emphasizes his commitment to participate in the championships, although he suggests that the scheduling could be better timed, similar to the Norwegian championships, which would encourage more skiers to compete.

Hakola, previously achieving a ninth place in the World Cup this season, sees potential in the upcoming races and notes that the competition can still be robust with those who do show up. He plans to compete in all distances during the championships, indicating a solid preparation despite the challenges presented before him.