Kerttu Niskanen reveals worrying health issues but will still start the Tour de Ski

Finnish cross-country skier Kerttu Niskanen confirmed she will start the Tour de Ski despite revealing that she has been dealing with unspecified health concerns.

Niskanen’s early season has been unusually difficult. Her best World Cup result so far is 19th place—19th in the 10 km classic in Ruka and 19th in the Trondheim skiathlon. She fell to 31st in the 10 km freestyle in Trondheim and was the weakest Finn in that race, an exceptionally rare occurrence in her career. In Davos, she was 22nd in the 10 km freestyle, more than a minute behind the winner, and said her skiing seemed to be getting worse rather than better.

Speaking to Yle on the eve of the Tour de Ski in Toblach, Niskanen described the situation as worrying: “Yes, there are health issues in the background,” she said, declining to specify further and adding that the problems have not gone away. She noted she spent Christmas in Davos as planned but that nothing has gone according to plan in terms of her skiing.

Niskanen traditionally trains outside the national team group with her coach and husband Juho Mikkonen, often carrying a heavy training load that usually converts into improved race form as the season progresses. This winter, however, the expected sharpening has not materialized.

Despite the struggles, she will line up on Sunday to begin the Tour de Ski.

Finland’s Tour de Ski roster

Men: Niko Anttola, Ristomatti Hakola, Perttu Hyvärinen, Petteri Koivisto, Emil Liekari, Niilo Moilanen, Joni Mäki, Iivo Niskanen, Lauri Vuorinen.

Women: Jasmi Joensuu, Jasmin Kähärä, Johanna Matintalo, Kerttu Niskanen, Vilma Nissinen, Krista Pärmäkoski, Vilma Ryytty.