Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team strengthens its roster for the heart of Ski Classics Season XVII with the addition of experienced Finnish long-distance skier Juuso Mäkelä.

Finnish Juuso Mäkelä will race in Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team colors during the upcoming competitions in Switzerland before returning to his role with the Finnish national setup.

Read More: All you need to know ahead of Engadin La Diagonela

Mäkelä is set to make his debut for the Pro Team at Engadin La Diagonela, a Ski Classics Pro Tour event, followed by the Challengers race La Sfida, both taking place next weekend. After the Swiss block, the Finn will resume his work as a wax technician for the Finnish national team, combining his competitive ambitions with a key support role off the snow tracks.

The cooperation will continue later in the season. Mäkelä is scheduled to line up at Finlandia Hiihto in February and is expected to compete in most of the Scandinavian Ski Classics events from March onwards, strengthening the Pro Team’s lineup for the decisive part of the Pro Tour calendar.

Finnish athletes have a long-standing connection with the Austrian-based Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team. Over the years, several Finnish skiers have successfully represented the squad, including Mirva Rottensteiner, Terhi Pollari, Mikko Harju, and Veli-Matti Räsänen, creating a strong Nordic-Alpine link that continues with Mäkelä’s arrival.

Pro Team Director Peter Kiene highlighted both the sporting and strategic value of the signing.

“We are proud to have Juuso in the team. Our goal for Ski Classics Season XVII is to achieve a top-15 ranking in the Pro Team Competition. Juuso is a very experienced and fast athlete, and I am convinced that he will achieve very good results this winter,” Kiene said.

With Mäkelä joining the squad at a crucial moment in the season, Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team adds depth, experience, and proven endurance-racing quality as the Ski Classics Pro Tour moves toward its most demanding phase.

Also Read: Cibes Lift Ski-Willy Marathon Team – Pro Team presentation Season XVII

Ski Classics Pro Tour Season XVII (2025/2026)

Season XVII of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consists of 13 events across 9 event weekends in 6 countries. 

• Event 1: December 13, 2025 – Bad Gastein Pro Team Tempo – Sportgastein, Austria, 7km
• Event 2: December 14, 2025 – Bad Gastein Criterium – Sportgastein, Austria, 36km
• Event 3: January 17, 2026 – Engadin La Diagonela – Pontresina-Zuoz, Switzerland, 47km
• Event 4: January 25, 2026 – Marcialonga – Moena-Cavalese, Italy, 70km
• Event 5: January 30, 2026 – Bedřichov Sprint – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 1.5km
• Event 6: February 1, 2026 – Jizerská50 – Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 7: March 1, 2026 – Vasaloppet – Sälen-Mora, Sweden, 90km
• Event 8: March 7, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Women – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 9: March 8, 2026 – Orsa Grönklitt 50k ITT Men – Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: March 14, 2026 – Birkebeinerrennet – Rena-Lillehammer, Norway, 54km
• Event 11: March 21, 2026 – Marcialonga Bodø – Bodø, Norway, 50km
• Event 12: March 28, 2026 – Reistadløpet – Setermoen-Bardufoss, Norway, 35km
• Event 13: March 29, 2026 – Grand Finale Summit 2 Senja – Bardufoss-Finnsnes, Norway, 60km

For more updates and detailed information about the Ski Classics Pro Tour, make sure to visit skiclassics.com.

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