On the final laps of the 20 km mass start, Niskanen surged ahead with control and confidence, leaving the rest of the field behind. In the women’s race, Johanna Matintalo showed equal determination, securing victory with a strong finish in front of the home crowd.

At Ounasvaara Suomen Cup in Rovaniemi, Iivo Niskanen delivered a dominant performance in the Finnish Cup 20 kilometer mass start, pulling away decisively in the closing stages. The win marked a welcome return to form after a difficult season affected by health issues, while Lauri Lepistö and Niko Husu completed the podium.

Read also: Joensuu ja Tossavainen sprinttivät joukkueiden SM-tittelin, kun Niskanen ankkuroi Puijon miesten voittoon

Iivo Niskanen dominated in Rovaniemi

The star of Puijon Hiihtoseura, Iivo Niskanen, skied to a dominant victory in free technique, winning by nearly 19 seconds ahead of second place. Lauri Lepistö finished second and Niko Husu third.

Niskanen stayed with the leading group throughout the race and still had energy left for the final laps.

– The conditions were quite slow, so I did start to stiffen up, even though it felt like I still had strength, Niskanen told Yle.

The victory tasted especially sweet, as Niskanen has suffered from lung problems for almost the entire season.

– Now, for the first time since the Ruka race in November, it feels like I don’t have to ski with my lungs burning, Niskanen said.

Lepistö found his race form

Niskanen was also happy about Lepistö’s second place.

– It hasn’t exactly been smooth sailing for Lauri this season either, so this will surely give him motivation for next season, Niskanen said.

Lepistö told Yle he had struggled with various issues during the season.

– Before this, I managed to train well for three weeks, and now it felt like I’m at the level I should be in competitions.

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Johanna Matintalo won the women’s race in Rovaniemi. Photo: Touho Häkkinen

Matintalo’s determination paid off

Johanna Matintalo celebrated victory in the women’s race. Representing the local ski club, she won by just over eight seconds ahead of Jasmin Kähärä, who finished second.

The win in front of the home crowd tasted especially good after Matintalo had to settle for second place in Friday’s team sprint.

– Today I had the mindset that I’m not going to lose a sprint finish, Matintalo told Yle.

Matintalo created enough of a gap on the final lap and was able to ski to the finish on her own.

Kähärä of Vuokatti Ski Team won a fierce sprint for second place, beating Emmi Lämsä of AT Ski Team by a tenth of a second.

For surprise contender Lämsä, the mass start race brought butterflies to her stomach.

– Standing at the start, I was thinking this is really awful, because starting in a group is so nerve-wracking, Lämsä told Yle.

Read more about the Suomen Cup race and check the results here.

Text: STT Urheilu/Teemu Virtanen