Kerttu Niskanen's disappointing performance in Tour de Ski
Originally published in Yle on January 03, 2025
Kerttu Niskanen faced a disappointing setback in the Tour de Ski competition held in Val di Fiemme. Niskanen was eliminated after finishing fifth in her heat during the sprint heats. Expert analysis pointed out that her inadequate descending skills contributed significantly to her downfall, as she wasn’t able to keep up with the competition because of poor speed management during the descent.
In a post-race interview, Niskanen reflected on her experience, noting that she had hoped for better results. She admitted that the conditions were tricky, with one part of the track significantly smoother than others, leading to a significant disadvantage when racing against others.
"I wanted to stay on the ice, but that turned out to be a bad choice. My speed suffered because of that. It was really terrible, and I just didn't perform well enough," Niskanen shared, expressing her frustration.
On the other hand, teammate Jasmin Kähärä advanced to the finals, achieving her first World Cup final placement. She performed remarkably well, reaching the fourth place, which has given her a confidence boost going forward amidst the challenges. "It feels surreal to make it to the finals, especially skiing the traditional style, which was the last thing I expected," Kähärä said.
Looking ahead at the upcoming mix of events in the Tour de Ski, Niskanen warned of the challenges to come, stating how steep climbs and swift, tricky descents would make for a complicated race environment. She emphasized the importance of handling these conditions adeptly, as many leading athletes such as Therese Johaug and Astrid Øyre Slind have shown competitiveness after her elimination.
