Tough competition for men's representation places in upcoming Winter Olympics – Finland's medal athlete on the line

The upcoming Winter Olympics are poised to see fierce competition for the men's cross-country skiing representation from Finland, as analyzed by Emil Liekari.

Finland's men's national team has the full quota of representation with eight spots available, a better situation than the last games in Beijing, where the male skiers had only six places.

In the sprint events, there were unusually only two representatives, Joni Mäki and Lauri Vuorinen. The distance events were represented by Iivo Niskanen, Perttu Hyvärinen, Ristomatti Hakola, and Remi Lindholm.

Currently, the level of Finnish men's skiing is significantly broader and more competitive. In terms of Olympic selection challenges, there's a group dynamic at play within the national team.

Emil Liekari made a breakthrough at the international level this season. Image: Lehtikuva

Liekari heads a specialized sprint squad which includes Vuorinen, Niilo Moilanen, Liekari himself, Mäki, Eero Rantala, Wiljam Mattila, Olli Ahonen, and Ike Melnits.

In the distance events, there are numerous international quality skiers capable of at least a top 20 finish. These include Niskanen, Hyvärinen, Lindholm, Ville Ahonen, Arsi Ruuskanen, Hakola, Markus Vuorela, Niko Anttola, Miro Karppanen, and Lauri Lepistö.

This past World Cup season, Liekari achieved a first-time semi-final position in sprints, pursuing his first Olympic representation.

• "This is probably one of the toughest competitions concerning spots for the Olympics. However, athletes cannot be named for the Olympics in the same manner as for the World Championships, where theoretically any fresh skiers can compete in each individual event," says Liekari.

Lauri Vuorinen and Niilo Moilanen both placed third in the Ruka World Cup sprint last year. The Olympic sprint will be held in this skiing technique.

Less representation in a potential medal race?

Last season, Iivo Niskanen was twice first and placed four times in the top two spots. Vuorinen, on the other hand, placed third in both the World Cup and the Trondheim World Championships sprints.

Alongside them, Lindholm (7th), Hakola (9th), and Ville Ahonen (10th) also managed to finish in the top 10 range in distance events.

From the sprinters, Moilanen (5th), Liekari (8th), and Joni Mäki (8th) achieved similar results.

Ruuskanen and Anttola frequently reached 15 or 20 best placements during the World Cup. Vuorela and Karppanen were also able to deliver single exceptional performances at their level. The last World Championship saw Vuorela finishing 17th in the 50 km race and Karppanen at 16th in the final 50 km on classic skis.

Perttu Hyvärinen had a disappointing season but is still considered one of Finland’s top male skiers when in form, having once won a World Cup and qualified for three top 10 placements in the Championships.

The selection process for the Olympics poses quite the puzzle for the Finnish coaching staff.

Ville Ahonen, who placed tenth in dense snowfall at the World Championships, exemplifies Finland's strong performance in men's skiing. Image: EPA-EFE

Yle Urheilu’s expert Kalle Lassila states that the issue becomes more complicated if selectors need to choose between a sprinter and a skier for the 50 km event.

During the Ruka World Cup, sprinter Niilo Moilanen emphasizes that traditional sprint holds potential for medals for Finland. However, it is still possible that not all four athlete slots for the sprint will be filled.

• "Three years ago in Beijing, the situation wasn't optimal as a couple of spots were left unused. I hope that the best men will line up for the sprint. The selection is, however, the responsibility of the coaching staff," says Moilanen.

Final selections and challenges ahead.

Moilanen indicates there might indeed be a full representation for sprints, but not necessarily all competition skiers are optimized for sprinting.

• “I believe not every sprinter will only be those who compete purely in sprints. We also look at those capable of partaking in other distances.

Such athletes include Ville Ahonen, Vuorinen, and Lepistö. Primarily, they compete in regular distances but have also dabbled in sprints.

But Liekari stresses the situation is no easier for distance skiers, believing that sprinters would require even stronger performances.

• “I don’t think it’s enough to just achieve one or two semi-final spots to secure a spot for the Olympics. We must perform at a final level.”

Niilo Moilanen is the youth World Champion in sprints. In the Olympics, the sprint will be contested through the technique he prefers, freestyle. Image: Tomi Hänninen / Chilipictures

"There was never a surplus of talent."

Due to the intensified competition, several prominent Finnish skiers may be excluded from the Olympics. For instance, Hyvärinen, who has celebrated World Cup wins and Olympic medalist Joni Mäki, find their spots are not guaranteed.

Mäki was among the heroes of the last Winter Olympics, achieving silver in the team sprint together with Niskanen. He finished fourth in the freely contested sprint.

For a long time, Mäki was Finland’s leading male sprinter, but Vuorinen, Liekari, and Moilanen have recently been competing with him.

Lauri Vuorinen and Iivo Niskanen currently stand as clear top names in Finnish men’s skiing. Image: Tomi Hänninen / Chilipictures

Kalle Lassila notes that despite the depth in men's talents, ultimately success prospects rise to the forefront as the primary criterion for Olympic selections.

• "It’s clear that truly elite skiers will likely be left out this winter. I like it simple. Pure success on personal Olympic distances will decide. Not everyone can try, but in top athletics, that's often how it goes."

Liekari believes that two athletes are already quite certain of their Olympic spots.

• "In my opinion, Iivo Niskanen and Lauri Vuorinen are the locks for that."