“Two of the athletes, Hannes and Robin Mäenpää, struggled with injuries all winter, which overshadowed the season,” says Pro Team Director Kim Mäenpää. On the other hand, Viktor Mäenpää’s steady season brought joy to the team.

For some of Team Mäenpää’s athletes, the season was cut short. The first weekend of Season XIV in Bad Gastein was also the only race weekend for both Hannes and Robin Mäenpää. Robin slipped during a run in December, resulting in a fractured fibula. Hannes has been struggling with a shoulder tendon injury. 

“Injuries happen, and we must focus on those on the start line. Of course, it is still a shame as they were in good shape, and the start of the season looked good. That is why I am looking forward to the next season. Let’s see what they can do together, assuming they can have a good training season,” says Kim Mäenpää.

The Pro Team Director is happy with Viktor Mäenpää’s season. He particularly highlights Grönklitt ITT’s 26th place. Also, his performance in Marcialonga was his best skiing of the season until the last uphill, where Viktor had to give in a bit.

“Viktor has been able to raise his overall level and stayed well with the lead group. As long as we get our plans in place for next season, he can stay with the lead until the end.” 

Viktor himself is also quite happy with his season, although he would have expected a bit better in terms of placement.

“It was not a perfect season, but it was okay. I expected a bit better because the training season went so well. I hope that next season my skiing will not only feel good but that it will also show in results,” Viktor Mäenpää says and continues:

“The level in Ski Classics is pretty high now. There used to be ten really high-level skiers, but now there are thirty excellent skiers. It is quite difficult to get into the top 10 or top 20.”

Looking Forward to the Upcoming Season

According to Kim Mäenpää, the team is already looking forward to the coming season. The team’s primary goal is to provide Viktor, Hannes, and Robin with the training needed and guarantee them the resources to develop their level. However, especially on the women’s side, new skiers are also being considered for the team.

“We want new female skiers interested in Ski Classics in the team and who want to try long distance. Our main goal is not to try to attract anyone particularly or to take skiers from other teams.” 

Last winter, young Finnish skiers Sandra Jordman and Amanda Nyfors were also given the opportunity to participate in few races. Kim Mäenpää has not yet discussed the upcoming season and possible continuation with them.

The Season XIV of the Ski Classics Pro Tour consisted of 14 events on 10 event weekends in 6 different countries. 

 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, 36km 
• 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, Bedřichov, Czech Republic, 50km
• Event 9: February 18, 2023 – Grönklitt Criterium, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 50km
• Event 10: February 19, 2023 – Grönklitt ITT, Orsa Grönklitt, Sweden, 12km
• 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.