Pärmäkoski and Niskanen Triumph at Aateli Race

Krista Pärmäkoski and Iivo Niskanen showcased their dominance during the two-day Aateli Race, held in the picturesque setting of Vuokatti. This exciting event featured a unique combination of cross-country running and roller skiing, attracting athletes eager to test their limits.

On Wednesday, the women kicked off the competition with a challenging 3-kilometer cross-country run followed by a 12.5-kilometer roller ski race. In a stunning performance, Krista Pärmäkoski, who recently confirmed her decision to continue competing, clinched victory with a remarkable lead of 2 minutes and 44.9 seconds over her nearest rival, Eveliina Piippo. Johanna Matintalo rounded out the podium, finishing in third place with a time 3 minutes and 25.9 seconds behind Pärmäkoski.

Reflecting on her performance, Pärmäkoski remarked, "In a way, it was a good effort considering I didn't have as fresh legs for running as I'd hoped," as reported by the Finnish Ski Association.

In the men's division, Iivo Niskanen also displayed exceptional skill, winning after completing the 4.5-kilometer cross-country run and the 12.5-kilometer roller ski race. He finished nearly 20 seconds ahead of Markus Vuorela, with Lauri Lepistö securing third place, trailing Niskanen by 47.3 seconds.

After the race, Niskanen shared his strategic approach, stating, "I tried to ski in a comfort zone so I could accelerate if someone caught up. It was a relatively balanced effort," highlighting the thoughtful tactics that contributed to his success.