After nearly 20 years at the top of the sport and five Olympic medals, she hung up her skis in April. Now, the Olympic star has returned to the sport in a new role.

In April, Krista Pärmäkoski ended her career after nearly 20 years at the top of the sport, finishing with a silver in the 5-kilometer classic at the national championships. Now, the Finnish Olympic star has a new job. 

Also Read: Krista Pärmäkoski – a durable elite career without the crown

Tasked with developing athletes for the World Championships

Pärmäkoski will coach eight of Finland’s top talents. Seven of them are part of the “Lahti 2029” project, training under the Finnish Swedish-speaking Ski Association (FSS). The goal is to have at least two athletes from this project on the Finnish team for the World Championships at home in 2029. 

“I see it as a completely realistic goal. There is a lot of potential in the skiers, and if we do our job well, I believe we will succeed,” Pärmäkoski stated in a press release according to Ilta Sanomat, adding. “In the long term, it is important to build a coaching system and training culture that enable international success.”

Young and promising

Among the athletes in Pärmäkoski’s group, Alexander Ståhlberg is currently the most prominent. The 24-year-old outperformed the entire regular World Cup field in the 50-kilometer race at the Finnish championships, winning by nearly 45 seconds. He also took silver in the 10-kilometer event and is considered one of Finland’s great hopes for the future.

In addition to Ståhlberg, the talent group includes Melker Wikblom (IF Minken), Ellinor Halonen (Närpes Kraft Skidförening), Frida Häggkvist (Närpes Kraft Skidförening), Anni Lindroos (Pargas IF), Anton Packalén (IF Minken), Alexander Ståhlberg (IF Minken), and Alex Svartsjö (IF Minken).

The 35-year-old is also a personal coach for Finnish sprint star Tia Olkkonen. The 26-year-old is not part of the FSS project but announced this spring that she will now work with Pärmäkoski. 

Read More – LIST: These traditional cross-country skiers are retiring

The story continues below.

Welcoming a Norwegian colleague

Pärmäkoski is one of several new coaches on the Finnish national team this season. After several seasons of disappointing results, the Finnish Ski Federation has replaced nearly the entire coaching staff. 

On the men’s side, Sweden’s former national team coach Joakim Abrahamsson and Norway’s Hans Kristian Stadheim are the head coaches. 

Stadheim is known as the successful coach behind athletes like Simen Hegstad Krüger.

Also Read: Finnish cross-country skiing team for season 2026/2027

Debuted in 2008

Krista Pärmäkoski has nearly 20 years of experience at the highest level. She has five Olympic medals and seven World Championship medals from a total of nine championships – but no gold. This winter’s Olympics in Italy were not a success, as the Finnish cross-country star returned home with a 20th place as her best result.

Pärmäkoski made her World Cup debut in December 2008 and competed in her first World Championships for Finland in Liberec just a few months later. She has participated in a total of 360 World Cup races since her debut in 2008, standing on the podium in 49 of them and winning six. 

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