The Swiss resort of Davos played host to the latest round of the World Cup Cross-Country Skiing Sprint on Saturday, showcasing both men’s and women’s competitions. After the time trials, the results showed promising yet challenging outcomes for Finnish skiers.
Notably, Niilo Moilanen and Lauri Vuorinen were the only Finnish men to progress to the elimination rounds, finishing 17th and 30th overall, respectively. Moilanen fought fiercely to secure his spot, claiming third place within his heat but just missing out on the semi-finals.
"Kurotukseen välieräpaikka taipui, mutta olen ihan tyytyväinen," expressed Moilanen post-race, indicating his mixed feelings about his near miss. Meanwhile, several other Finnish competitors struggled, with notable skiers like Joni Mäki, Emil Liekari, Eero Rantala, and Wiljam Mattila failing to break the top 30.
On the other hand, Jasmi Joensuu emerged as the standout Finn, securing her second final appearance of the season and clinching fifth place—an impressive feat as she mirrored her early season performance from Kuusamo. Joensuu, who skied next to renowned Swedish athlete Jonna Sundling, finished her time trial only slightly behind her, showcasing her competitive edge.
Speaking of her aspirations, Joensuu noted, "Jos podium (palkintosija) odotuttaa Trondheimiin tai vaikka olympialaisiin, niin otetaan se sitten sieltä," referencing her hope for future podium finishes at the upcoming World Championships and 2026 Olympics. Her confidence is buoyed, especially after achieving her career-best season start, even if she has yet to break the top three overall.
The men's sprint saw the return of Norway's Johannes Hösflot Kläbo, who continued to dominate the circuit by claiming yet another victory, marking his third sprint win this season. His time ran circles around his competitors, including Moilanen, who finished nearly four seconds behind the top contender.
While reflecting on the high-altitude challenges of Davos, Joensuu enjoyed the adrenaline surge of competing under the evening lights, likening it to the thrill she felt during her junior years. The thinner air provides hurdles for many, but the experience gained over years of training, including four years spent studying and training at high altitudes in Colorado, appeared to pay off.
"En ole ennen viihtynyt korkealla näin hyvin," Joensuu smiled, appreciating the conditions and her performance against strong competitors.
While Joensuu and her peers prepared for their next challenges, the men saw the disappointing exit of Vuorinen and Moilanen from the semi-final stage. All Finnish men fell short of advancing, with Moilanen's effort standing out but not enough to raise the overall standings. The subsequent day's competition loomed on the horizon with 20 kilometers of distance skiing on the traditional technique, promising more opportunities for the Finnish team to demonstrate their mettle.
Despite the ups and downs of the day, the Davos World Cup sprint provided significant lessons and experiences for the Finnish cross-country skiing team, keeping their eyes on future successes throughout the rest of the season.
