Weekend skiing sensation dropped from Ruka A national team – teammate furious: "I'm tired of being quiet"

During the recent international Tykkikisat held at Muonio's Oloksella, Juuso Haarala, 28, showcased an impressive performance in the 12 km race, finishing as the second best Finn after Iivo Niskanen. Haarala, who has trained in Trondheim for the upcoming World Championships, is aiming for a spot on the Finnish team. However, despite his strong display, he was not chosen for the A national team, disappointing him and his supporters.

Having been primarily regarded as a sprinter in previous seasons, Haarala's transition into longer distance events is bolstered by a private funding arrangement through Team Electrofit. During the race, he placed sixth overall, just narrowly ahead of Niko Anttola and Markus Vuorela, thereby compelling him to fight for a spot in the elite squad.

Haarala believed his performance might secure him a position in the A national team but was shocked to learn about the selections on Monday, just prior to an interview. His teammate Markus Vuorela expressed frustration over the decision, suggesting that athletes from private teams are not considered equally to those from the A team during selection events.

The Ski Federation categorized the race as an evaluation event ahead of the World Cup beginning in Kuusamo. The athletes selected for the national team include Niskanen, Perttu Hyvärinen, Ristomatti Hakola, and others. The official announcements will be made on November 25. Although Haarala competes in the national group, there is a significant gap in resources and support between the groups.

Commenting on the situation, national team coach Ville Oksanen defended the selection processes, claiming they adhere strictly to published criteria and express a commitment to inclusivity and fair treatment among all national athletes.