“The season went quite well. Marcialonga was the best one as a trip. In addition to our Pro Tour skiers, we had a lot of Electrofit customers there and we also invested in high-level service. Ylläs-Levi was successful in a similar way as well,” Liukkonen says and continues:

“Result-wise, Tartu Maraton was probably the best race for us. The profile suited us. It brought us the best performances and staff and waxing worked really well.”

On the other hand, the team experienced its biggest challenges of the season in Vasaloppet.

“We had problems with waxing, and we were running late and had to rush to the start.”

Liukkonen also says that in the last three races of the season, the long season and the stress of the long races started to take their toll on the athletes.

Liukkonen emphasizes the important team points that Maija Hakala and Olli-Markus Taivainen were able to collect for the team. Hakala attended in Tartu Marathon and Birkebeinerrennet  and collected points from there and Taivainen from Årefjällsloppet.

“Maija and Olli-Markus’ results were important for the team. We got crucial points for the team competition and were able to leave Team Kaskipuu and Ski Willy Marathon Team Austria behind us. It was good that we were able to beat a couple of other teams in the overall competition.”

Electrofit is a company offering coaching services, training camps, and organized race trips. One of Electrofit’s goals is to provide customers with a more holistic racing trip experience and be an inspiring example for training – by having their own Pro Team.

“Through the Pro Team, customers get closer to the elite skiing. If the team’s skiers can show that they can train and compete at a high level while working full-time, it gives motivation to everyone.”

Electrofit has already thought about the future.

“Let’s see if we can get a Pro Team license for the next season. We will see if the same effort is enough or if we will need something more. I believe that at least half of the skiers on the team would be the same next season. We are not a top team, but one option would be to offer an opportunity to one top-level male skier and one top-level female skier to ski in Electrofit’s colors at some selected races.”

According to Liukkonen, the easiest way to get more out of the current skiers would be to invest in wax technicians.

“We gave away a lot in this. In many races, we were on our own in terms of waxing, when it would have been better to rest.”

Liukkonen agrees with other Finnish teams that although Finland is lagging behind its neighbors Sweden and Norway in long-distance skiing, there has also been a positive development.

“Long-distance skiing has become more appreciated by ski racers and the events raise more interest.”