Poromaa Makes Comeback at Helsinki Show Sprint

William Poromaa made his much-anticipated return to competitive skiing after battling an illness that followed the World Championships in Planica. He took part in a show sprint at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium, where he progressed through the quarter-finals but was ultimately eliminated in the semi-finals, finishing in fourth place. This event marked his first competition since claiming a bronze medal in the 50km race in Slovenia on March 5th.

The star of the day was undoubtedly Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who secured victory in the men's event, continuing to showcase his dominance after winning the World Cup sprint in Tallinn just a day prior. Notably, Northug finished as the runner-up in this exciting race. In the women's category, Ane Appelkvist Stenseth triumphed, followed closely by Johanna Hagström.

The Helsinki Ski Weeks offered skiing enthusiasts a chance to revel in the excitement of the sport at the iconic Olympic Stadium. This sprint event served as an exciting bridge between the recent World Cup sprint in Tallinn and the upcoming World Cup finals in Lahti.

Adding a unique twist to the event, masked skiers participated, enhancing the entertainment factor and allowing the audience to influence the outcome by pushing their favorite competitors into the semi-finals. Finnish skiers Niilo Moilanen and Eevi-Inkeri Tossavainen also made their presence felt, with Moilanen sporting a chest-mounted camera to thrill the crowd. Live music performances further enlivened the celebratory spirit of the day.