Ilkka Herola takes 3rd as wind cancels ski jumping qualification — all from Friday at Ruka

Yle Urheilu followed the opening day of the Nordic skiing World Cup in Ruka on Friday, 28 November.

Key results - Women’s 10 km classic: Sweden’s Frida Karlsson won ahead of Norway’s Heidi Weng (+10.5) and Sweden’s Moa Ilar (+18.3). Finland’s Krista Pärmäkoski was ninth (+45.4) and Jasmi Joensuu tenth (+49.3). - Men’s 10 km classic: Norway’s Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget won, with Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo second (+2.1) and Austria’s Mika Vermeulen third (+4.2). Finland’s Iivo Niskanen was fifth (+12.0) and Arsi Ruuskanen 15th (+39.4). - Nordic combined: Finland’s Ilkka Herola delivered the best Finnish result of the day, finishing third. Austria’s Johannes Lamparter won, and Germany’s Julian Schmid was second. Eero Hirvonen placed eighth.

Ski jumping qualification cancelled The ski jumping qualification in Ruka was cancelled due to strong, gusty winds. A few training jumps were completed before the session was halted after a fall by a Ukrainian jumper. Forecasts suggest Saturday conditions may not improve much, but organizers will attempt qualification again. The first competition round is scheduled for Saturday at 16:00.

Eero Hirvonen’s encouraging start Eero Hirvonen opened his season with eighth place, better than any of his World Cup results last season. He said the result was a relief after a difficult previous season and a troubled tune‑up at the Finnish Cup, where he had to abandon due to stomach issues. Despite low confidence and poor training sensations earlier in the week, he felt the race “went surprisingly well.” He hopes Saturday’s Gundersen event proceeds with jumping, as he struggled in the provisional competition.

Ilkka Herola on Ruka and his podium Ilkka Herola, who historically hasn’t favored competing in Ruka, secured third — his best World Cup result there. He joked he still wouldn’t call Ruka a “nice place,” noting the hill often challenges him, but acknowledged he was fortunate in the jump and started the ski leg from a good position. He described the final lap as tough, skiing alone into a headwind, and saved celebrations for the podium.

Race dynamics in Nordic combined Johannes Lamparter controlled the 10 km ski, initially working with Thomas Rettenegger before pulling away. Herola led the chasing group behind the leaders, battling with Germany’s David Mach and Julian Schmid. By 6.1 km, Lamparter led Schmid by 10.5 seconds, with Herola holding third a few seconds ahead of Rettenegger. Schmid launched a fierce attack on the final climb into the stadium but could not catch Lamparter, while Herola secured third. Eero Hirvonen finished in the top ten.

Finnish coaches on the cross‑country results Yle expert Ville Nousiainen said Iivo Niskanen and Arsi Ruuskanen delivered solid, acceptable races in difficult waxing conditions, and former coach Olli Ohtonen urged there’s no need to worry about Niskanen. Head coach Teemu Pasanen called the men’s outcome “quite OK,” praising the service team in a day of rapidly changing, wet snowfall and stressing there were no major disasters, with Niskanen in podium contention and Ruuskanen solidly placed.