A Finnish skier has never skied a 10-kilometer time trial in Ruka before.
Iivo Niskanen goes on a kind of maiden voyage on Saturday, when he competes for the first time in the Ruka World Cup 10 kilometers as a traditional split start.
– Here, ten is a 20-minute race in really good weather, when the five-kilometer track is short. The competition is really fast-paced. You have to have the right nerves and a good active day all the time so that the clock likes it. The differences are tight in the World Cup, Niskanen commented.
The international skiing federation Fis modified the competition distances for women and men to be the same length for the 2022–23 season.
Last season, Niskanen was on the sidelines in the Ruka World Cup due to the corona virus and interrupted Oberstdorf’s traditional top ten intermediate start at the Tour de Ski.
– I would have kept the original trips, the Finn commented on Fis’s change.
According to the statistics of the International Ski Federation, Niskanen has skied 10 kilometers as a traditional intermediate start twice in the World Cup. In the 2014–15 season, he was tenth at the Tour de Ski in Toblach and 22nd in Falun in 2016.
– Kympi is familiar with messages and otherwise. It probably won’t cause any other big changes than the fact that the differences are smaller.
Niskanen has won the 15-kilometer traditional split start in the Ruka World Cup four times: 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2021.
– I guess he’ll remember them if he goes on a rampage. Probably the first one is my favorite. First is always first.
Name on paper
On Saturday, Iivo Niskanen will seek the first victory of his career in the 10 km traditional intermediate start race at the Ruka World Cup. PASI LEISMA
Niskanen was not part of the Ski Association’s A national team in the basic training season of 2023, so he is not covered by the usual athlete contract.
The host of Pohjois-Savo, like other Finns outside the A national team but skiing in the World Cup, enter into a competitive athlete contract with the Skiing Association.
– It seems to be today’s epistle. There is nothing special about it.
For Niskas, basic training outside the A national team is fine.
– The season started well. It showed that the work has been done with sufficient quality and efficiency. Definitely the best training seasons ever. There is no reason why I should not continue in the same way, commented the three-time Olympic champion.
The athletes of the A national team and the Ski Federation have finalized the athlete contract after a long delay. The deals have been sent to the athletes electronically over the past few days.
Iltalehti is characterized that the worst pitfalls of the contract have been circumvented and the deal seems similar to last season.
Kalsari business
The three-time Olympic champion trained in Koillismaa on Thursday. PASI LEISMA
In the summer, it was announced that Niskanen would join the kalsari business as product designer and marketing, among other things.
– I hope we can get more technical pants for harder going. Now let’s go with the tricks of free time.
Niskanen prefers the Mähöne kalsar model in his free time, but when playing sports he wears technical products from other brands.
Iivo Niskanen’s sister Katri Niskanen is one of Finland’s most respected clothing designers.
– I have always been even better, good-natured Iivo Niskanen announced on Thursday at the press conference of the Ski Federation in Kuusamo.
Have you designed costumes for the Castle’s party?
– No suits yet, but there may be underwear.