Finnish Pro Tour athlete Heli Heiskanen, Slavia Pojišťovna Sport Team, who missed last weekend’s Ski Classics weekend due to illness, has recovered quickly and is now preparing for the upcoming Saturday’s La Diagonela in Engadin.

Early last week, Heli Heiskanen had almost 40 degrees of fever, but the illness faded as quickly as it began, and she decided to travel to the race venue in Italy. Just in case, however, she chose not to compete so soon after falling ill.

“I would have definitely wanted to race, and it was a real shame to miss that weekend. It is one of my favorite places to race, and I have done pretty well there. I could not even watch Sunday’s race.”

At the moment, Heiskanen’s shape feels good, and the desire to compete is strong. However, due to a background of illness and asthma, she is concerned about the cold forecast for Saturday.

“I have been thinking that if it is over 20 degrees below zero, I will not race. Cold conditions do not suit me. It is not good for my lungs and muscles, but of course we will discuss it with my coach.”

Engadin La Diagonela has often been raced in very cold conditions, which is why it is one of Heiskanen’s least favorite races. The racecourse is not one of her favorites either.

“The course is nice, but one part is real boring with a long flat section. You have to look at the river next to you to see if you are actually going uphill or downhill. It is very tiring.”

Having missed last weekend and two races, Heiskanen feels there is not much left to do in terms of the overall Champion bib competition. She will therefore concentrate on the individual races that matter the most this season, one example being the first Grand Classics event of the season: Marcialonga next week.

“The first races of the season were tactically not good racing. However, I skied a good qualification race in the Ruka World Cup, and it was a sign for me that my fitness is good, even if you cannot always get the best out of yourself in every race. Fortunately, the most important races are ahead,” concludes Heli Heiskanen.

The upcoming Ski Classics Pro Tour event is Engadin La Diagonela, a 48km classic technique event in Switzerland on January 21.

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XIV (2022/2023)

• Event 1: December 10, 2022 – Bad Gastein PTT, Bad Gastein, Austria, 15km
• Event 2: December 11, 2022 – Bad Gastein Criterium, Bad Gastein, Austria, 35km
• Event 3: December 17, 2022 – La Venosta Criterium, Val Venosta, Italy, 40km 
• Event 4: January 14, 2023 – Pustertaler Ski Marathon, Sexten, Italy, 62km
• Event 5: January 15, 2023 – Prato Piazza Mountain Challenge, Niederdorf, Italy, 32km
• Event 6: January 21, 2023 – Engadin La Diagonela, Engadin Valley, Switzerland, 48km 
• Event 7: January 29, 2023 – Marcialonga, Trentino, Italy, 70km
• Event 8: February 12, 2023 – Jizerská50, Bedrichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 15km
• Event 11: March 5, 2023 – Vasaloppet, Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 12: March 18, 2023 – Birkebeinerrennet, Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 13: April 1, 2023 – Reistadløpet, Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 40km
• Event 14: April 2, 2023 – Summit 2 Senja, Bardufoss- Finnsnes, Norway, 67km

More information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour you can find at skiclassics.com.

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