After being part of the Ski Classics Tour since Vasaloppet 2012, Hans Mäenpää questions the continuity of his professional career after an unsuccessful hand surgery last winter. 

Hans Mäenpää injured his wrist during a fall in the autumn of 2020, and since then, he has not been able to compete. After an unsuccessful hand surgery last winter and a self-healing forecast of about 4 to 5 years, Mäenpää is not hopeful about his professional skiing career.

“I have not gone out and said that the dedication in skis is over, but I can probably say that it is more or less over. The focus has disappeared, so to speak. Even if the hand would be good, I will not get younger,” says Hans Mäenpää to Yle.fi and continues:

“I am 43 years old. If the hand is good in two years, I will be 45. I think I have peaked as much as I can when it comes to skiing, and I will probably not be better than I was, even though the hand would be good. The dedication is probably over at the extreme elite level,” concludes Mäenpää to Yle.fi.

In an Instagram post, Hans Mäenpää announced that he is saying goodbye to the professional rankings after many years of training, dedication, and success as a long-distance skier and Pro Tour athlete.

Hans Mäenpää announcement:

“With over 2 years since the last ski competition, it’s time to say goodbye to that career. Unfortunately, the hand will probably not heal and become skiable in the foreseeable future. But had time to experience and achieve much more than I could have dreamed of when I started this journey about 10 years ago. The results in @vasaloppet (36th as best) and FM in Vörå 15km 21st are the best in terms of results I have achieved. Redbull Nordensköldsloppet 4 times has always been a special experience 6th 2 times there at its best. The world record in Levi 2018 is still what you can see as the best achievement of my career. A fantastic day in my life. 

But what I may still remember best is probably the very journey itself and to be able to do it in our own Team @skiteam_maenpaa together with @matsmaenpaa, @kimmaenpaa, @viktormaenpaa, @hannesmaenpaa, @lindvallchristoffer. Thank you for all the service and sacrifices you have made Mats and Kim 🙏🙏

And finally she who made it possible for me @annesalomaki ❤❤ and took care of everything here at home. Thank you🙏”

Hans Mäenpää has 25 starts at Ski Classics Pro Tour events on his Palmares. The Ski Classics event Vasaloppet 2020 was his last Pro Tour race.