Puijon Ski Club ran away to the men’s pair relay gold at the WC, while Jämin’s Jänteen Hakola had a hard time.
Jamin Jante Cross mat Hakola leaned disappointedly on the wooden railing and grimaced on Friday during the day at the Ounasvaara ski stadium in Rovaniemi.
The silver medal was a bit bitter in the hands of the SM pairs relay of the traditional method of progression.
Hakola had a hard time at the end of the competition and Puijon Ski Club Iivo Niskanen ran away to gold.
– On the last hill, I got a cramp in my lower back. My back always surprises me from time to time – and now it surprised me, commented Hakola, who suffered from back problems last time in January.
The momentary pain was so severe and dramatic that it occurred to Hakola that he would not make it to the finish line.
– However, I would not have left the race unfinished, he assured.
Markus Vuorelan the man who won silver with is hoping that the cramp will ease and he will be able to continue the race weekend in Rovaniemi.
The first part of the Puijo Ski Club’s gold team skied Petteri Koivisto.
The championship is the third in the WC pair relay history for the Kuopio club. In 2019 and 2021, team Niskanen won gold–Perttu Hyvärinen.
Hyvärinen, who will end his career at the Inari SC Skiing, will not be participating this weekend in Rovaniemi.
A slower ski
Ristomatti Hakola had a hard time. Jussi Saarinen
Hakola has four double relay SM gold medals in his trophy case. In 2018, they were a couple Antti Ojansivuin 2020 Vuorela and in 2024–25 Lauri Lepistö.
The fifth gold was in the offing on Friday, but a back spasm ruined the plan.
– At the top of the anchor section, Niskanen broke free. I had a slightly slower ski. I knew that there would be some tight spots on the descents at the end, as I’ve been rattling a bit on the descents for two laps.
It was noticed with the eye, so to speak, that Niskase had better skis than Hakola.
You would still have beaten Niskanen without a back problem in the tiebreak at the end…
– Two slow men, you never know, Hakola answered diplomatically.
Pohti Ski Team Pyhäjärvi won the bronze on Friday with the duo Niilo Moilanen–Joni Mäki.
– The only thing that’s great is that your team wins, Hakola joked, when the gentleman wearing a Pyhäjärvä pumpi beanie was wiping off after the race.
Finnish double relay championships have been competed for since 2003.
Puijo Ski Club’s Iivo Niskanen (left) and Petteri Koivisto won the cross-country skiing pair relay Finnish championship on Friday in Rovaniemi. Jussi Saarinen
