Ounasvaaran Hiihtoseura and Vuokatti Ski Team Kainuu claimed narrow victories in the Finnish Cup cross-country skiing relays in free technique in Rovaniemi. The women’s race was decided by just two thousandths of a second, while the men’s competition saw equally tight margins, with only tenths separating the top finishers.

In the Finnish Cup of cross-country skiing, relays in skating technique were skied in Rovaniemi on Sunday. After closely contested races, Ounasvaara Ski Club won the women’s race and Vuokatti Ski Team Kainuu won the men’s race.

Read also: Iivo Niskanen ja Johanna Matintalo voittivat eilen Rovaniemellä

In the women’s final sprint, Josefiina Böök from Ounasvaara defeated Hilla Niemelä of Ikaalinen by two thousandths of a second.

“I’ve practiced stretching on almost every lap. It’s great that it paid off and I could use it now,” Böök said on the Finnish Ski Association’s website.

The other members of Ounasvaara’s relay team were Vilma Kanerva and Johanna Matintalo.

In the men’s race, Veeti Pyykkö secured victory for Vuokatti by 0.1 seconds over Ike Melnits from Pohti Ski Team’s second team, and by 0.2 seconds over Melker Wikblom from IF Minken. Iivo Niskanen, anchoring Puijon Hiihtoseura, finished fifth, 0.6 seconds behind the winner.

The other members of Vuokatti’s team were Eero Rantala and Emil Liekari.

Read more about the Suomen Cup weekend in Rovaniemi here.