Finnish men’s skiers have an exceptional struggle for Olympic places.
Remi Lindholm has suffered from back injuries. Inka Soveri
Remi Lindholm out of the Finnish Olympic team, announces Iltalehti’s skiing expert Pirjo Muranen.
– He has a back injury in the background. I suspect that he has not had the patience to rehabilitate it properly, Muranen comments.
At the World Championships in Trondheim last season, the athlete, who finished handsomely seventh in the free fifties, was diagnosed with a stress fracture in his back in early summer.
Due to the injury, the lust trainee’s basic training season 2025 remained a torso.
– It would be a very positive surprise if he is able to take himself to the Olympic Games in the freestyle and possibly the relay.
Lindholm’s Olympic shares are also reduced by the fact that 50 kilometers in Italy are skied on a traditional one.
Playoffs
Lauri Vuorinen has already been selected for the Olympic team. PASI LEISMA
This winter, Finland has the toughest fight of the 21st century for the Olympic representation of male cross-country skiers. There are seven country spots for the Olympics to be held in Italy in February, two of which have already been earmarked Lauri Vuorinen and Iivo Niskanen.
Along with Lindholm at least Cross mat Hakola, Perttu Hyvärinen, Niko Anttola, Arsi Ruuskanen, Niilo Moilanen, Emil Liekari, Petteri Koivisto and Ville Ahonen are looking for a ticket to the boots country games. Also Markus Vuorela, Ike Melnitz, Juuso Haarala and Miro Karpanen may dream of five-ring races.
– The team’s main focus is on general skiers. Along with Vuorinen, I think there is another sprint-focused skier at the Olympics Joni Mäki. I don’t think there are any other sprinters on the Olympic team – unless many normal distance skiers underperform.
Muranen estimates that among the sprinters, for example, Liekar or Moilanen should ski at least semi-final speed in all early season competitions, so that an Olympic spot is possible.
– Strength must be shown during the first three World Cup weekends, i.e. in Ruka, Trondheim and Davos.
Experienced cop
Ristomatti Hakola is particularly averse to Olympic messages. Jussi Saarinen
Before the start of the 2025–26 international competition season, Mäki, Hakola and Hyvärinen are the strongest contenders for the Olympic machine.
– However, some kind of evidence must come from the beginning of the season.
Hakola is nominated for pair relay, relay and possibly 50 kilometers. Hyvärinen’s trips in Italy could be free 10 kilometers, combined race and relay.
Anttola, 22, is estimated to be the next big man of blue-and-white cross-country skiing, but so far the flashes have remained isolated. Torniolaiskasvatti has suffered a lot from health challenges.
– I want to believe that he will take a step forward this winter and make it to the Olympics. Anttola skis both traditional and freestyle equally well.
With these messages
Ville Ahonen wants to win five rings. Jussi Saarinen
Niskanen, Vuorinen, Hakola, Hyvärinen, Mäki and Anttola. Who is the seventh man?
– Ruuskanen, Ahonen or Koivisto. The latter cautiously nominated. In my opinion, their mutual struggle is simple: who is clearly the best from the early season. I hope that the screens have already been given before the Tour de Ski at the turn of the year, Muranen answers.
The pair relay duo can be found in expert papers in the trio Vuorinen, Mäki and Hakola.
What about the 4×7.5 kilometer relay group before a single mc start is behind?
– Hakola starts, Niskanen is in the second leg and Hyvärinen in the third. The situation is alive, but at the moment Vuorinen and Mäki are candidates for anchor, Muranen comments.