Iivo Niskanen wins in front of record number of spectators at 15km C

The crossing of the finish line was surely an emotional ride for Iivo Niskanen as he impressively took over the lead +13 seconds before Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and +14.9 seconds before Emil Iversen, both from Norway.

On the tough course of Ruka, Niskanen alternated the lead with Klæbo for two rounds, pushing each other to the limits: «I feel strong and I have trained really hard. Here it’s easy to ski behind even there are many large hills but today was windy and cold conditions so it was much easier to stay behind and on my second lap was maybe too fast for me so the last lap was surviving, " said Iivo Niskanen.

Iivo Niskanen
«It is for sure one of my fav places here in Ruka and i hae to say that today there were more people on the track than ever so it was an emotional feeling to cross the finish line.»

«I feel strong and I have trained really hard. Here it’s easy to ski behind even there are many large hills but today was windy and cold conditions so it was much easier to stay behind and on my second lap was maybe too fast for me so the last lap was surviving.»

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo
«Iivo Niskanen was pushing me hard in his first round and I was trying to stay with him but then he was just stopping and let me take the lead and that was not the plan but it was a tough decision so I had to push really hard and … he showed today that he was in a really good shape but I am very happy with my second rank.»

Emil Iversen
«I start second tomorrow and I have a good race ahead of me tomorrow. I am happy with my shape and proud of my race today as I think that was one of my best races.»

«I am in a good position for tomorrows race and I am in a good shape so it will be a cool race, maybe even with a sprint between me and Johannes and for sure that is not easy.»