Jasmi Joensuu excellent result; Krista Pärmäkoski and Iivo Niskanen withdraw from Tour de Ski

Tour de Ski, Toblach (ITA)

The article summarizes New Year’s Day Nordic World Cup races and ski jumping events in Central Europe.

Cross-country — Toblach (Tour de Ski)

• Jasmi Joensuu delivered a strong showing and finished 4th in the women’s 20 km pursuit. Johanna Matintalo was 6th and Kerttu Niskanen 7th. Jessie Diggins won the race.
• Krista Pärmäkoski left the Tour de Ski after racing in Toblach. Pärmäkoski said she had recently had COVID and did not feel fully recovered; she skied cautiously and decided with specialists to withdraw and travel home.
• Iivo Niskanen was the top Finnish man in the men’s 20 km pursuit, finishing 10th. Perttu Hyvärinen placed 18th and Petteri Koivisto 24th. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won the men’s race.
• Johanna Matintalo said she appreciated the World Cup’s new podium/award-zone system (now top six attend) and is focusing on getting bonus seconds in the upcoming sprint.
• Kerttu Niskanen reported improving form and was pleased that her ski speed is better than earlier in the season; she commented on how chase groups formed tactically in the pursuit.

Ski jumping — Oberstdorf (Women’s Two Nights) and Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Four Hills leg)

Oberstdorf (Women, HS137) - Canadian Abigail Strate won the Oberstdorf Two Nights stage with jumps of 136 m and 116 m (total 268.2 points), ahead of Ping Zeng (CHN) and Selina Freitag (GER). - Finnish jumpers Jenny Rautionaho and Minja Korhonen reached the top-20: Rautionaho 15th (219.8) and Korhonen 19th (197.3). Heta Hirvonen was 28th. - In qualifying and round-one details, Nika Prevc topped the qualification; Rautionaho and Korhonen advanced as Q/lucky-losers; Julia Kykkänen failed to make the cut.

Garmisch-Partenkirchen (Men, HS142) - Domen Prevc continued his dominant Central European Four Hills week form, winning in Garmisch with 143 m and 141 m jumps. Jan Hörl (AUT) was second and Stephan Embacher (AUT) third. - Antti Aalto was the only Finn to make the second round, finishing 28th overall.

Other notes

• Abigail Strate’s win in Oberstdorf was described in detail: her long first jump gave her the lead that held to the end.
• The Two Nights tour continues in Oberstdorf while the Four Hills Tournament continued with Garmisch-Partenkirchen on New Year’s Day.

Quotes and reactions

• Krista Pärmäkoski: She acknowledged she had raced while recovering from COVID and felt she was skiing within her comfort zone; after two laps she chose not to push and will return home to recover. She is not currently symptomatic and has consulted specialists.
• Kerttu Niskanen: Noted the tactical nature of the large chase group and said her skiing felt better than earlier in the season.
• Johanna Matintalo: Liked the new top-six podium procedure and hopes to earn bonus seconds in the upcoming sprint.

Results (selection)

Ski jumping — Oberstdorf Women HS137 podium 1. Abigail Strate (CAN) 268.2 2. Ping Zeng (CHN) 257.7 3. Selina Freitag (GER) 257.3

Ski jumping — Garmisch-Partenkirchen Men HS142 podium 1. Domen Prevc (SLO) 303.1 2. Jan Hörl (AUT) 287.7 3. Stephan Embacher (AUT) 287.1

Cross-country — Toblach (selected Finnish results) Women 20 km pursuit: Jasmi Joensuu 4th, Johanna Matintalo 6th, Kerttu Niskanen 7th (winner: Jessie Diggins) Men 20 km pursuit: Iivo Niskanen 10th, Perttu Hyvärinen 18th, Petteri Koivisto 24th (winner: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo)

The Tour de Ski and the Two Nights/Four Hills ski jumping events will continue with further stages and the Finnish team will adjust its lineup after the withdrawals.