The Ski Classics Pro Tour continues this weekend in Italy with the 3 Zinnen Ski Marathon on Saturday and La Venosta ITT Kapron-Melago on Sunday. Among Finnish long-distance skiers, podium expectations are high for Kati Roivas, who last winter achieved seven podium finishes. While she has yet to claim a victory, this season might bring the coveted first place.

Kati Roivas’ Remarkable Podium Streak

Last winter, Kati Roivas made a powerful entrance to the top ranks of long-distance skiing by securing seven podium finishes in the Ski Classics Pro Tour and winning the prestigious Tjejvasan race, the women’s only event at Vasaloppet Ski Week, which no Finnish skier had won before. At the Vasaloppet race, Kati finished third, marking the best-ever achievement by a Finnish woman.

“Tjejvasan’s victory felt great, winning such a prestigious race. I hope it also increases interest and appreciation for Ski Classics and long-distance skiing in Finland. Of course, it boosts my confidence,” Kati said after the race last winter.

Also Read: Kati Roivas wins Tjejvasan in a tight sprint – First event win for Finland

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A Historic Win at Tjejvasan

A week after her historic victory, Kati achieved a podium finish in the Vasaloppet, a notable accomplishment in Finland.

“It’s the world’s largest ski event with a long history and it’s the most prestigious long-distance race. For many, it’s the main goal of the season. Being on the Vasaloppet podium was a big deal. It’s bigger than a regular Pro Tour weekend. It takes a while to process how significant this achievement is. I’m most satisfied with my performances and skis in the Toblach and Tjejvasan races, where I got the absolute best out of myself. But, of course, Marcialonga and Vasaloppet are so prestigious, making it hard to rank the races. However, I guess it’s the third place in Vasaloppet that is the most valuable,” Kati reflected on her Vasaloppet performance compared to other races last season.

After Vasaloppet, Kati represented the Finnish national team at Holmenkollen and later secured a podium finish in Norway’s most famous race, Birkebeinerrennet. Her end-of-season success earned her second place in the overall Ski Classics Pro Tour standings, a feat no other Finnish skier has achieved in the tour’s history.

Aiming for Pro Tour Victory

“After illnesses last winter, the first races felt a bit sluggish, though the results were already pretty good, so I expected better. A five-race podium streak was a surprise even to me. I consider myself a fairly consistent skier, but being able to deliver several top performances was a bit surprising. Now I feel I’ve been able to fulfill the potential I believed I had as a long-distance skier”, she says to Maastohiihto.com.

Looking ahead, Kati aims to win a Pro Tour race, particularly focusing on the Grand Classics events.

Roivas aims big: “Of course, I want to eventually reach the top step in the Ski Classics Pro Tour and the season’s main races like Marcialonga and Vasaloppet, improve my weaknesses, and see how far my potential as a long-distance skier can take me.”

This Ski Classics season started in mid-December in Bad Gastein, Austria, but the results were not what we’ve come to expect from Kati.

“It wasn’t the optimal weekend I hoped for, as I was coming off a minor illness. It wasn’t my sharpest skiing, and I felt I couldn’t give my best. On the other hand, it was a similar start to last season, so there’s no reason to worry. Important January races are coming up, and there’s plenty of time to recharge and get a good training period at home. It would have been nice to have a perfect start to the season, but now I’m focusing on January and hoping to get results there. My condition is good, and once I can compete more sharply, I believe the results will improve,” Kati summarized her feelings after the Bad Gastein race weekend.

It remains to be seen whether Kati will return to the podium this weekend and if she can win a race this season. One thing is certain: she has already made Finnish skiing history, with more achievements likely to come.

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