April 28, 2025

The Iisalmi Institution Lives On ❄️

They say a town is only as good as its school gym—and in Iisalmi, that gym included a full ski track, courtesy of the late Immo Kuutsa. For over half a century, this indefatigable volunteer made sure every child stretched, schussed, and freestyled their way through PE as if they were on World Cup tracks.

Colleagues still chuckle at stories of Immo insisting young skiers be excused from dodgeball so they could clock ski laps instead. As legendary compatriot Juha Mieto reminisced, “One would hope there would be snow in a better world,” recalling Kuutsa’s insistence that even the Baltic breeze couldn’t stop Finnish skis from gliding. When Immo passed at 87, the local community lost its chief cheerleader—and its best reason to skip swimming class.

Dive into the full homage at /cross-country-skiing/immo-kuutsa-promoted-iisalmi-skiing-for-over-50-years/ and /cross-country-skiing/juha-mieto-remembers-immo-kuutsa-love-for-skiing/.

The Classic Coup at Mosjøen ⛷️

Just when you thought Johannes Høsfot Klæbo could ski through a blizzard in a sleep mask, newcomer Alvar Myhlback and compatriot Erik Bergström decided to challenge the monarch of the classic sprint in Mosjøen’s Bysprinten. Myhlback even finished a meter behind Klæbo—close enough to ask for a photo finish.

Though Klæbo ultimately squeaked through, skiing expert Emil Iversen warned that “a narrow, twisty course can humble even the greatest,” hinting that the king’s crown might get snagged on a gate sooner or later.

Cheer on the upstart duo at Myhlback Challenges Klæbo in Classic Bysprinten.

Biathlon’s Bubble Baths and Black-Red-Gold Skis 🏖️🎿

Franziska Preuß didn’t just hang up her rifle after a record-breaking season—she traded her skis for a hammock in Thailand, returning refreshed and ready to chase Olympic dreams.

But that wasn’t all. Rossignol tossed her a pair of custom skis decked out in Germany’s black-red-gold, each medal subtly embossed on the deck like a parent tallying chore charts. Preuß claims she’ll mount them above her fireplace—though we suspect she’ll sneak out for another ski test first.

Read about her tropical reset at Franziska Preuß Makes a Comeback! and her blinged-out skis at Special Gift for Preuß.

Wild Rumor: Olympic Switch or Administrative Fumble? 🌍

In the rumor mill’s most audacious turn this spring, young star Lara Colturi might swap the Albanian bib for Italy’s tricolore—assuming her paperwork clears by May 1st. Otherwise, she faces a year on the bench, Olympic dreams evaporating before they’ve even begun.

Albania’s federation isn’t keen to let go of its sudden sensation, so Colturi is stuck in a passport tug-of-war that’s part diplomatic drama, part sporting cliffhanger. Will she snag a spot in Milan-Cortina, or be left watching from the stands?

Follow the plot twist at Upcoming Italian? - Wild Rumor! Ski Talent Before Nation Change.

Whether it’s a legendary coach out of the shadows, an underdog nibbling at the champ’s heels, biathletes perfecting the art of vacation therapy, or young talents juggling nationalities, the Nordic world never lets its wax dry without stirring a fresh story. Stay tuned for the next turn of The Ski Saga!