Kerttu Niskanen unexpectedly falls out of the lead battle – Expert sees extra opponent for weak Finland

Kerttu Niskanen finished unexpectedly far out of the top positions in the World Cup ski race held in Engadin, at 1,800 meters above sea level. Niskanen, who was expected to contend for the podium, ended up placing 13th, one of several disappointing performances from Finnish athletes. Krista Pärmäkoski was 21st, while Jasmin Kähärä placed 31st and Vilma Ryytty 44th.

Yle Sports expert Kalle Lassila noted that Niskanen's performance did not meet expectations, especially given the absence of many top competitors, including Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson from Sweden as well as Therese Johaug and Heidi Weng from Norway. Lassila had anticipated that Niskanen would challenge for a spot on the podium.

Following the race, he attributed the poor results to equipment problems, indicating that Finnish skiers were struggling not just against other competitors but also against their own gear. "It seemed during the race that the Finnish team had to fight their equipment as well. There were noticeable differences in performance within the team," Lassila stated in the sports studio.

In contrast, the Norwegian team showcased superior equipment and performance, with Astrid Öyre Slind and Nora Sanness finishing as the top two competitors in the women's race. The considerable advantages displayed by the Norwegians highlighted the crucial role that good equipment plays in producing top performances in competitive skiing.