Parisprint's lineup changed, sensation skier sidelined at World Championships – "Good news for Finland," says expert

The setup for the Parisprint in Trondheim's World Championships has undergone a significant change just days before the event. Nadja Kälin, who has been a breakout star for the Swiss team, will not compete, raising questions about the impact on the competition’s dynamics.

Yle’s sports analyst, Kalle Lassila, believes that her absence is beneficial to the Finnish team, suggesting that even a single medal in the upcoming races would be a substantial victory for Finland.

Finnish chances were strong just a week prior as Iivo Niskanen was a top contender based on World Cup results. However, he has fallen ill and will miss the events. Niskanen was expected to assist in securing medals in both the individual and team competitions.

In the women's category, both Jasmi Joensuu and Kerttu Niskanen, who previously triumphed in Cogne, faced disappointments in their individual events.

Lassila notes that the stranglehold on the competition remains with Norway and Sweden, citing the Norwegian team’s past successes in sprint races and their current strong form.

He predicts that, though they are likely to be overshadowed by the Nordic powers, teams from other nations such as the U.S. and Italy may emerge in the medal.

Lassila emphasized that while the odds have shifted significantly, it’s still vital for Finnish athletes to showcase their competitive spirit and may surprise audiences in the final results.

This Wednesday, the traditional approach will be maintained, favorably complementing Finland’s skiing style.

The men’s side is also reportedly witnessing fierce competition, with Johannes Hösflot Klæbo expected to dominate alongside Erik Valnes, both of whom have delivered remarkable performances in recent championships.

In contrast, Jiri Tuž and Michal Novak from the Czech Republic may also garner attention after impressive results in their last sprint races.

Fans are encouraged to tune in as Yle will be broadcasting all events live, providing updates and insights as they unfold during this exciting World Championship week.