In the cross-country skiing World Cup, Kerttu Niskanen battled hard and finished third in the overall standings. She didn’t win a World Championship medal last winter in Trondheim, but once again proved she can ski among the world’s best.

Now, her sights are set on the upcoming Olympic season. What makes Kerttu Niskanen one of the greatest Finnish female skiers of all time?

Kerttu Niskanen is one of the mainstays of Finnish skiing, known especially for her endurance, strong classic technique, and ability to perform in major competitions. Born in 1988 in Oulu, she now represents the club Vieremän Koitto. Her skiing career began in childhood in snowy northern Finland, and her path to international success was paved through the youth ranks and rigorous training. Skiing is also a family affair – her brother Iivo Niskanen is an Olympic champion. Kerttu’s husband, Juho Mikkonen, a former skier himself, is also her coach.

Technical strengths

According to Maastohiihto.com, Kerttu Niskanen is, above all, an endurance-type skier who shines in long-distance races, especially in the classic technique. Her trademark is the ability to maintain a strong pace, particularly in uphill sections, where her rhythm changes and power output are top-class. She is also known for her powerful double-poling and efficient ski technique, where every kick and pole stroke is used effectively.

However, one of Kerttu’s apparent weaknesses lies in her downhill and cornering technique, especially on icy and technically demanding descents, where she isn’t as bold or aggressive as many top international competitors.

Tactical skills

Tactically, Kerttu is known for her ability to read races, especially in mass starts and pursuit events. She rarely makes rash decisions; instead, she builds her race based on her strengths and carefully times her moves.

Achievements

• Olympics:
  • 3 Silvers (Beijing – 10km classic, Sochi team sprint and relay)
  • 1 Bronze (Beijing – 30km freestyle)
• World Championships:
  • 2 Bronzes (2015 relay, 2017 relay)
  • Several other top results in individual races
• World Cup:
  • 8 victories and 28 podium finishes
• Finnish Championships:
  • Numerous national titles across various distances

Recent accomplishments

• Beijing Olympics 2022: Silver in 10km classic – a career highlight – and bronze in 30km freestyle
• World Cup 2022-2023: Winner of the distance World Cup and third overall twice
• Tour de Ski: Second overall in 2022/2023, third in 2023/2024, and six other top-6 finishes in other seasons

Impact on the sport

Kerttu Niskanen has demonstrated, by example, that excellence in classic skiing can still yield success, even as freestyle skiing gains increasing prominence internationally. She is also an important role model for young Finnish skiers, demonstrating that a long-term, hard-working approach can lead to success without chasing quick wins.

Also Read: Meet the Niskanens

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Comparison with skiing legends

Marit Bjørgen

Kerttu Niskanen and Marit Bjørgen represent very different types of skiers. Niskanen is a specialist in classic technique and long distances, with strengths in endurance, double-poling, and smart pacing. Her technical reliability and tactical instincts make her a dependable performer, especially in mass starts where reading the race is key.

Bjørgen, on the other hand, was an exceptional combination of power, endurance, and speed, making her incredibly versatile – she could win both sprints and long-distance races in both classic and freestyle disciplines. Physically, both are endurance machines, but Bjørgen’s superior oxygen uptake and muscular strength gave her the edge in explosive moments. While Niskanen is a strong specialist, Bjørgen’s dominance across all formats made her almost unbeatable in championship medal races.

Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi

Kerttu’s strong classic technique and endurance recall Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi, who also excelled in long-distance classic style. Like Kirvesniemi, Kerttu is technically meticulous, but she shows even more tactical patience. On the other hand, Kirvesniemi perhaps had a more varied race program that included both techniques more broadly.

Therese Johaug

Therese Johaug is known for her unmatched uphill speed and ferocious style, attacking throughout the race. Kerttu Niskanen is less aggressive – her style is more economical and composed. Johaug often won races by making decisive moves on climbs – an area where Kerttu is also very strong. However, unlike Johaug, Kerttu struggles more on downhills, where Johaug used her courage and refined technique to her advantage.

Personality and character

Kerttu Niskanen is known as a calm, analytical, and humble athlete who approaches both training and racing with focus and discipline. She doesn’t seek the spotlight unnecessarily but lets her results speak for themselves. Within the team, she is a reliable and encouraging teammate. Among those close to her, she is also known for her unique sense of humor and down-to-earth attitude.

Kerttu Niskanen is the tireless workhorse of Finnish skiing. Her technical and tactical prowess in classic races, combined with her ability to deliver in the most crucial moments, makes her one of the most significant Finnish skiers of her generation. While downhill sections may not be her strong suit, her endurance, climbing strength, and race intelligence keep her among the world’s best year after year.

Expert commentary

“Kerttu is a top-level classic skier with an exceptional ability to read races. Her technical precision is exemplary,” Yle Sports expert Kalle Lassila.

“Kerttu Niskanen is one of the finest classic technique skiers in modern cross-country skiing, but unlike many other top skiers, her success is built on composure and technical certainty – not explosive aggression,” said ski coach Reijo Jylhä.

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