Finland’s cross-country skiing star Iivo Niskanen has tested positive for Covid and will miss the World Cup premiere in Ruka this weekend.

The Finnish Ski Association announced that Iivo Niskanen would not be able to compete in the World Cup premiere in Ruka, Finland, this week after testing positive for Covid. Ville Ahonen, another solid Finnish name in the early season, is also sick and will not start in Ruka. 

“Ruka’s World Cup is now over for me. I dodged covid for a long time, but now I got it. Didn’t help, no matter how carefully I tried to handle everything,” writes Niskanen on his Instagram.  

FACTS Ruka World Cup Season 2022/2023

• When: Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27 
• Who: Elite national skiers
• Where: Ruka, Finland
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Ruka, Finland

PROGRAM

Friday, November 25: Sprint C (More details can be found here)

• 10:00 CET: Sprint Quali C, men 
• 10:00 CET: Sprint Quali C, women
• 12:30 CET: Sprint Final C, men
• 12:30 CET: Sprint Final C, women 

Saturday, November 26: 10km Individual C (More details can be found here)

• 11:00 CET: 10km Individual C, women
• 13:30 CET: 10km Individual C, men

Sunday, November 27: 20km Pursuit F (More details can be found here)

• 12:00 CET: 20km Pursuit F, women
• 13:30 CET: 20km Pursuit F, men

Read More: Cross-Country Skiing Changes And World Cup Calendar For The 2022/2023 Season