Dominant performances and tight podium battles set the tone as the Finnish Championships opened in Inari.

The 2026 Finnish Cross-Country Skiing Championships kicked off in Inari on Friday with individual start races in the classical technique, where two of Finland’s biggest stars—and one rising force—delivered standout performances in demanding conditions.

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Niskanen in control on the men’s 10 km

Iivo Niskanen once again demonstrated his dominance in classical skiing, taking gold in the men’s 10 km individual start with a composed and tactically strong performance.

The Olympic champion secured victory in a time of 24:24.2, gradually taking control of the race after an early challenge from Alexander Ståhlberg. Ståhlberg set the early pace and led at the first intermediate checkpoint, but Niskanen’s superior endurance and pacing proved decisive over the second half of the course. 

Ståhlberg ultimately claimed silver, finishing 18.6 seconds behind, marking an encouraging return to top form after difficult seasons. The battle for bronze was tighter, with Ville Ahonen securing third place, 34.6 seconds off the winning time. 

Just outside the podium, Petteri Koivisto missed a medal by under two seconds, highlighting the depth of competition in the Finnish men’s field.

Top 5 – Men’s 10 km (C):

1. Iivo Niskanen – 24:24.2
2. Alexander Ståhlberg +18.6
3. Ville Ahonen +34.6
4. Petteri Koivisto +36.4
5. Emil Liekari +40.5 

Beyond the podium, the race also carried implications for the season-long Finnish Cup standings, adding further tension ahead of the weekend’s longer-distance events.

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Hilla Niemelä got her first national title today. Photo: Touho Häkkinen

Niemelä edges Pärmäkoski in women’s thriller

Earlier in the day, the women’s 5 km race delivered one of the most exciting duels of the season, as Hilla Niemelä claimed her first national title in a tightly contested battle.

Niemelä clocked 13:16.0 to win gold, narrowly defeating veteran star Krista Pärmäkoski by just three seconds. The two athletes, representing the same club, pushed each other throughout the course, with Niemelä ultimately gaining the decisive margin on the climbs. 

Jasmin Kähärä completed the podium in third, 8.9 seconds behind the winner, while the rest of the field trailed by a more significant margin, underlining the strength of the leading trio. 

The victory also secured Niemelä the overall Finnish Cup title, capping a breakthrough season with both consistency and peak performance on the national stage. 

Top 5 – Women’s 5 km (C):

1. Hilla Niemelä – 13:16.0
2. Krista Pärmäkoski +3.0
3. Jasmin Kähärä +8.9
4. Oona Kettunen +20.9
5. Emmi Lämsä +21.0 

Championships continue in Lapland

The races in Inari mark the opening day of the national championships, which also serve as the finale of the domestic season. The program continues with relay events on Saturday and the traditional long-distance races on Sunday, including the prestigious 50 km for men and 30 km for women. 

With established champions reaffirming their status and new names emerging at the top, the opening day in Inari set a high standard for the remainder of the championships—and offered a compelling glimpse into the future of Finnish cross-country skiing.

More about the Finnish Championships in Inari here.