Skiing Iivo Niskanen celebrated his fourth victory with Ruka and recalled with humor the recent failed chase:

Ruka

Iivo Niskasella is behind more than a hundred races in the World Ski Cup, but on Sunday he is in an unprecedented situation.

And it’s completely self-inflicted.

Niskanen will start in the 15-kilometer chase race (v) at Kuusamo Ruka, and the lead is the first time for him at this level.

The top spot is the result of Niskanen winning his bravura race on Saturday, a 15-kilometer break in traditional skiing.

This was the fourth time Niskanen won the same race at Ruka. He has a total of six mc wins. The other two are from Lahti and Otepää, Estonia.

Competitive was in complete control of Niskane. He ripped the eight-second gap to the Russian trio in the first three kilometers and led the race by 10 to 15 seconds at most break points.

Second place in Russia Alexei Chervotkin eventually lost to the great man of the last eight and two seasons Alexander Bolshunov 14 seconds.

After the finish, Niskanen shouted and warmed the crowded audience in the usual 16-degree frost.

In an interview with the International Ski Federation, Niskanen stated that “it could not have gone better”.

“Of course it’s nice to start the season this way. There were no problems. Quite a good opening, and of course I was able to ski in a moderately good condition. He was able to ski with calm thoughts when he heard the intervals. Even though a few tough guys came from behind, the situation was always there, ”Niskanen told the Finnish media.

Niskanen said he was surprised that the frost was so slippery. His winning time was just over 33 minutes.

“The trails were partly even on ice. You could have imagined that there would be a really slow weather. ”

This the same competition has always been an important first real measure for Niskanon of how successful the training season has been. At the February Olympics, it’s his main race.

Of course, Niskanen knew that the situation was good. Based on the fact that at Olon Olon, he left behind at least once all the five Russians who now ranked in the top eight.

Read more: Iivo Niskanen abandoned the Norwegian internship and returned to “his own template” – now it is hard to succeed

“This was no overpayment, but nice that it rewards in this way. After a tough season, it’s nice to win. After all, this was known when the situation was balanced in the summer. My alertness is stable. When the situation is in the glove, it has to be that way. “

Niskanen’s previous profits at Ruka are in 2014, 2016 and 2019.

“It’s a shame there aren’t six wins. There are a few things left to do a couple of times. This has been a good place in general, ”Niskanen said, pointing out that he has also finished third and fifth on this same trip.

Sunday the chase will start with the time differences of Saturday’s race. Five Russians and two Norwegians will be chasing Niska from 8 to 29 seconds away.

“The difference is so small that there may be a strict take on it, but it needs to be analyzed more closely. Like I said, I’m not so much focused on skate, but moderate openings came at Olos. I wanted to ski there for the second free race last weekend to be ready for tomorrow. ”

During Niskanen’s career, these “old-time” pursuits have been rare in the World Cup.

In his second humor, Niskanen recalled the winter race in Nove Mesto, where he was second in the traditional chase.

“It was supposed to be a stiff on an empty finish, and I was Fifth. There have been good situations before, and it is not easy. ”

Norwegian superstar Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was not surprised by Niskanen’s victory.

“He was strong, as usual. It was impressive. He has been tough in recent weeks. We all knew he was strong, but it wasn’t a big warning for Beijing, ”said Klæbo, who finished ninth in his second race of the season.

Men & # 39; s 15 km (s): 1) Iivo Niskanen Finland 33.08.6, 2) Alexei Tshervotkin’s Russia 8.3 seconds behind, 3) Aleksandr Bolshunov Russia –14.1, 4) Erik Valnes Norway –15.2, 5) Sergei Ustjugov Russia –21.1, 6) Ilya Semikov Russia –26, 7) Emil Iversen Norway –28.9, 8) Ivan Jakimushkin Russia –29.5, 9) Johannes Hösflot Kläbo Norway –41.7, 10) Paal Golberg Norway –45.7. Other Finns: 26) Remi Lindholm –1.34.3, 28) Perttu Hyvärinen –1.35, 34) Lauri Lepistö –1.48.7, 44) Ville Ahonen Finland –2.06.8, 45) Lauri Vuorinen –2.08.0, 49) Arsi Ruuskanen –2.19.4, 50) Alexander Ståhlberg –2.20.0, 61) Juuso Haarala –2.44.8, 64) Juuso Mäkelä –2.51.6. Ristomatti Hakola interrupted.

World Cup points situation: 1) Kläbo 119, 2) Valnes 118, 3) Terentjev 115, 4) Niskanen 100, 5) Tshervotkin 80, 6) Richard Jouve France. Other Finns: 12) Joni Mäki 42, 26) Lauri Mannila and Lauri Vuorinen 16, 34) Verneri Suhonen 11, 36) Hakola 10, 37) Niilo Moilanen 9, 39) Haarala 8, 44) Lindholm 5, 49) Hyvärinen 3.