Strong View on Finnish Skiing – Will There Be a Rare Podium Finish Next Week?

Strong View on Finnish Skiing – Will There Be a Rare Podium Finish Next Week?

Finnish national team coach Ville Oksanen highlights an interesting fact about Jasmin Kähärä. A long streak may come to an end next week, he states.

Finland's sprint skiing has been a clear highlight of the season alongside Iivo Niskanen's victories at the start of the cross-country skiing World Cup. Lauri Vuorinen finished third in the men's sprint in Ruka, and Niilo Moilanen placed fifth. Jasmi Joensuu reached the women's final and finished fifth as well.

On the women's side, five Finns made it to the quarter-finals. Apart from Joensuu, the group included Johanna Matintalo, Anne Kyllönen, Katri Lylynperä, and Amanda Saari, all ranking in the top twelve.

Despite a lesser overall performance in the classic style, 24-year-old Jasmin Kähärä stood out with her results. Known as a rising talent, she fought hard for her first-ever final spot during her second heat. Though her strong push for the finish line wasn’t enough for the final, her seventh place is her best result in the World Cup so far.

Oksanen emphasizes that Kähärä is consistently strong in freestyle sprints, having reached four semi-finals last season. The only exception was Canmore, where she didn’t finish among the top twelve, but she also reached the semi-finals in Trondheim.

"It has been truly wonderful to follow Jasmin's development. She consistently delivers good performances in freestyle sprints," praises Oksanen.

As the season progresses, both Kähärä and Joensuu have the potential to aim for even higher rankings in freestyle sprints. Next weekend's World Cup in Davos will host the second freestyle sprint of the season. Notably, Finland’s last top-three finish in a freestyle sprint happened eleven years ago in Davos when Martti Jylhä secured a second place.

"When will we see a Finnish skier in the World Cup top three in freestyle sprints again? Next weekend," Oksanen smiles.

Lillehammer Results

Men's Final:
1. Johannes H. Kläbo (NOR) 2:32.64
2. Even Northug (NOR) +1.22
3. Federico Pellegrino (ITA) +1.57
4. Matz William Jenssen (NOR) +2.19
5. Lucas Chanavat (FRA) +2.96
6. Aleksander Elde Holm (NOR) +4.73

Finnish Men:
19. Joni Mäki
22. Niilo Moilanen
23. Lauri Vuorinen
28. Eero Rantala

Women's Final:
1. Jonna Sundling (SWE) 2:50.10
2. Johanna Hagström (SWE) +3.05
3. Julie Myhre (NOR) +3.60
4. Victoria Carl (GER) +6.22
5. Emma Ribom (SWE) +6.39
6. Katerina Janatova (CZE) +6.49

Finnish Women:
7. Jasmin Kähärä
13. Jasmi Joensuu
14. Katri Lylynperä
26. Hilla Niemelä
37. Amanda Saari
41. Kerttu Niskanen