A new and exciting name is emerging on the Finnish long-distance skiing scene. Lauri Mannila, who made a name for himself in sprint skiing, has taken a determined turn in his career and is now aiming for success in the Ski Classics series.

Mannila represents Team Edux, and this past summer has shown that the change has been successful. Last weekend, he won the Ski Classics Challengers event Värnamorullen in Sweden, leaving behind several established Pro Team athletes and securing the most significant marathon-distance victory of his career so far.

Also Read: Mannila and Gjerde Alnæs claim Värnamorullen victories

Mannila has found strong racing form in late summer and early autumn. His victory in Värnamorullen was not an isolated demonstration of his competitiveness.

Already at the end of August, Mannila took part in Alliansloppet, the world’s largest roller ski race, where he finished fifth. The very next day, he placed fourth in the 15km individual start in Trollhättan. Both competitions featured an international top field, which makes the results even more valuable. It is clear that Mannila is not just testing his abilities on new distances but is seriously building a career as a long-distance skier.

Read More: Team Edux’s Lauri Mannila challenges Ski Classics stars

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A sprinter’s weapons for long distances

Mannila’s sprinting background could be a decisive factor in Ski Classics’ success. Sprinters often have a natural ability to handle the final stages of races, a golden skill in mass-start competitions.

Past champions demonstrate the value of this background: Norwegian Øystein Pettersen transitioned from sprinting to the long-distance elite. In the same line, Ski Classics Legend Andreas Nygaard first won Ski Classics sprints before dominating the entire circuit.

Mannila’s strength is a clear finishing kick, which could give him a decisive edge in upcoming winter races. The key question is how quickly his endurance base will develop so that he can remain in contention all the way to the final meters of 60–90 km competitions.

“The switch to long distances has gone well. After several years, I’ve made major changes in my training, and I feel my body has responded really well. The biggest change is that I can focus on improving double-poling capacity, oxygen uptake, and endurance. I believe I’ve made significant progress in both areas over the summer, and the results showed in competitions even better than I dared to hope,” Mannila told Maastohiihto.com.

A new Finnish frontrunner in long-distance skiing?

The clearest Finnish star in long-distance skiing today is Kati Roivas, representing the Swedish Pro Team Eksjöhus. Two winters ago, Roivas reached the podium seven times, proving that Finnish skiers can break into the elite with the proper training and a determined team. Her example could inspire Mannila and show that success in Ski Classics is within reach for Finnish athletes.

Mannila’s potential rise to the top also offers a chance for a Finnish man’s success story, strengthening the country’s reputation internationally. No Finnish male skier has reached a Ski Classics Pro Tour podium since spring 2021, but Mannila may have the chance to change that already this coming winter, if all the pieces fall into place in the right race.

Watch Here: Watch Lauri Mannila’s winning race at Värnamorullen 2025

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Ski Classics in Finland – challenges with recognition and visibility

Internationally, Ski Classics is a highly regarded Tour. In Norway and Sweden, the races draw large audiences and are broadcast on the leading TV channels. The best skiers make a living as professional long-distance athletes. In Finland, however, the situation is different: the sport has not reached the same level of media attention or participant numbers.

Still, individual skiers like Mannila and Roivas can, through their performances, bring attention back to the sport. If Mannila manages to reach the podium in major winter races, it could give Finnish skiing culture new momentum and spark renewed interest in Ski Classics.

Could Mannila be the next Finnish podium skier?

Recent results give reason for optimism. As a sprinter, Mannila is used to battling against top international competition, and his finishing kick is a weapon much needed in Ski Classics’ decisive moments. If his endurance base continues to develop, he could become the first Finnish man in years to consistently fight for podium places.

“Looking ahead to the winter, there’s still a lot of work to do. In the autumn, the focus needs to shift to ensure that capacity transfers well onto snow. In any case, I believe things have been moving in a good direction, and in the coming months I’ll continue with the same type of training that has worked well so far,” Mannila reflects on his autumn preparation.

The coming winter will show how far Mannila’s summer and autumn training, as well as his promising roller ski results, will carry him on snow. One thing is clear: Finnish long-distance skiing is gaining a fresh new name in the men’s field, around whom hope and interest in the sport’s future can grow.

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