Annoyed Iivo Niskanen delivers blunt verdict — Perttu Hyvärinen grabs an Olympic berth but remains disappointed

Tour de Ski resumed in Toblach with the men’s 10 km classic interval start. Norway’s Mattis Stenshagen took a surprise victory, with Johannes Høsflot Klæbo second (+8.9) and Emil Iversen third (+10.1).

Iivo Niskanen was the top Finn in 4th place (+24.3), his best result of the season after being 5th over the same distance in Ruka. He said the skiing felt fine but the clock “didn’t like it,” adding that others were simply stronger. Coming off back issues and illness in December, Niskanen expects to be better in the Tour’s 20 km classic pursuit and called the 10 km placement “really bad,” despite an improved feeling on skis.

For Perttu Hyvärinen, the day was critical in his push for an Olympic berth after a difficult start to the season. Starting early, he finished 12th (+44.1), his best World Cup result since February 2024 (10th in Canmore over 15 km free). The result likely bolsters his claim to one of Finland’s remaining Olympic spots, though he remained dissatisfied, saying progress is coming only in small steps.

Niko Anttola placed 14th (+47.2) after a heavy-feeling race, close to his career-best, while Joni Mäki was 22nd (+59.6) and felt his pacing cost him a better result. Other Finns: Lauri Vuorinen 23rd (+1:00.3), Petteri Koivisto 30th (+1:15.8), Niilo Moilanen 37th (+1:26.1).

Notably, 22-year-old Saveli Korostelev achieved a career-best World Cup finish in 9th. After two Tour stages, Klæbo leads the overall standings ahead of Lars Heggen and Harald Østberg Amundsen, with Niskanen 11th and Hyvärinen and Mäki tied 16th.

The article also lists the Tour de Ski schedule in Toblach and Val di Fiemme and notes Finnish Olympic selection context: Arsi Ruuskanen, Niskanen, and Lauri Vuorinen are already named, with Joni Mäki and Ristomatti Hakola strong candidates; Hyvärinen, Niko Anttola, and Niilo Moilanen are vying for the remaining places.