Former national-team skier Ari Luusua returns to competition immediately after ban — to race in Scandinavia Cup

Former national-team skier Ari Luusua, 37, will return to international competition this week in Vantaa.

Luusua will race for his new club Tampereen Yritys in a Scandinavia Cup round in Vantaa, entering the men’s 10-kilometre freestyle event on Sunday. His activity ban expires on Saturday, meaning he is eligible to compete immediately. Yle Sport previously reported Luusua’s surprise transfer to Tampereen Yritys; he has earlier represented his hometown club Ounasvaaran Hiihtoseura.

Luusua gave a doping sample on 20 July 2021 that showed traces of the anabolic steroid drostanolone and the banned heart medication meldonium. His suspension was originally due to end on 26 August 2025, but because he filed a retirement notice and then rescinded it the ban was extended by a few months. According to Larissa Erola at the Finnish Ski Association, Luusua’s suspension ends 3 January 2026 — the first day his FIS athlete code can be reactivated and he may start competing again.

Luusua was among Finland’s top sprint skiers in the 2010s; his best World Cup result was ninth in a classic sprint in Ruka in November 2016. The Scandinavia Cup is an international series organised by the International Ski Federation (FIS) one level below the World Cup and offers a pathway to earn World Cup starters.

Sources: Yle reporting and Finnish Ski Association commentary.