Can any rider strengthen their shares during the FM weekend? There are several names to keep an eye on in Tampere – Yle Sporten lists six profiles.
The Niskanen siblings are missing, but otherwise most of the Finnish elite are in place in Tampere for the season’s first FM in cross-country skiing. Krista Pärmäkoski may be the most internationally viable name, but there are also a bunch of other exciting skaters in the starting lists.
The competitions are arranged in Tampere on three days. First up is the sprint relay this afternoon. The big competition day is Saturday when over 300 skaters line up in the freestyle distance races.
Here are six riders who feel like the most fascinating to follow this weekend:
Riitta-Liisa Roponen – challenges the national team skaters
She has reached the age of 44 and put down her elite effort, but don’t underestimate the eternally young Riitta-Liisa Roponen. She herself has played down the expectations and stated that as an exercise skater she should have nothing to gain in the fight against the national team ladies.
Nevertheless, it is worth remembering that she defeated, for example, Anne Kyllönen and a bunch of blue-and-white talents in November in Olos. Roponen can even be in the fight for medals.
Can Riitta-Liisa Roponen challenge the national team riders?
Image: All Over Press
Riitta-Liisa Roponen
Ristomatti Hakola – must give notice of form
Ristomatti Hakola took a celebrated World Cup silver with Joni Mäki in the sprint relay in Oberstdorf 2021. Since then, Hakola has had his fair share of bad luck. Not least this season.
Unlike the others on this list, he is not riding Saturday’s freestyle race. He only participates in Friday’s sprint relay and in the individual sprint on Sunday.
The national team pilot Teemu Pasanen has stated that the results during the FM weekend do not play a big role when the World Cup team is selected, but it is clear that Hakola must be on the cutting edge in Tampere to be relevant for the World Cup weekend in Les Rousses next week.
Remi Lindholm – chasing first full hit at senior level
Remi Lindholm is a shining example that you don’t have to be the best in your junior years to reach the elite as an adult. The 25-year-old Pernåsonen won his first FM medal last spring when he was third in the free mile in Rovaniemi. Before that, his best FM finish was 15th.
But the tremendous training zeal has yielded results.
Remi Lindholm has not competed since mid-December in the World Cup.
Image: EPA-EFE
cross-country skiing, men’s cross-country skiing, cross-country skiers, 2022–2023 Cross-Country World Cup
When Iivo Niskanen announced that he is over the FM weekend, it opened the fight for the gold on Saturday. As a talented freestyle skier, Remi Lindholm is suddenly one of the hottest champion candidates.
Julia Häger – comeback after the nightmare start to the season
This was the year when Julia Häger would take a big step forward on the development curve. The studies in Sweden were completed and she had joined the B national team. Sports were in full focus.
The accident happened at the beginning of November. Before the season could even get started in earnest, she suffered a stress fracture in her foot. The rehabilitation was frustratingly slow but now she is ready to make a comeback.
Julia Häger is a question mark after injury problems.
Image: All Over Press / Marko Tuominiemi
Julia Häger, IF Minken
Julia Häger beats out of disadvantage considering the insufficient upload but she is a fighter at the tips of her fingers, so almost anything is possible.
Her main event is the free mile on Saturday. She will then make a decision on whether she will line up in the classic sprint on Sunday.
Arsi Ruuskanen – the new men’s generation is emerging
Finnish men’s skating has been personified by Iivo Niskanen for almost ten years. By his side, he has had faithful squires in Perttu Hyvärinen and Ristomatti Hakola.
A new and exciting generation now seems ready to shoulder greater responsibility. One of the most exciting young roosters is Arsi Ruuskanen. Last year he won gold in 15 classic in the U23 WC and this winter he has shown that the freestyle also works excellently. Eighth place behind six Norwegians and the German Friedrich Moch in the World Cup in Davos was a storm warning.
Arsi Ruuskanen is a future name for Finland.
Image: EPA-EFE
Arsi Ruuskanen
Ruuskanen, just like Remi Lindholm, is one of the favorites on Saturday.
Immediately after FM, he goes to Whistler to chase new successes in the U23 WC.
Eveliina Piippo – bird or fish?
Eveliina Piippo won silver in the U23 WC four years ago. Behind her were names such as Katharina Hennig, Tiril Udnes Weng, Delphine Claudel and Emma Ribom.
Her journey has since been marred by various problems, but the talent and, above all, the enormous oxygen absorption capacity are still there.
Piippo placed 13th in the 20-kilometer race in the World Cup in Davos a month ago. It was an encouraging result, but she has not competed since. Saturday’s distance race gives a strong indication of whether she can be considered for the WC squad to Planica.
