In 2014, Niskanen took gold in the 15 km classic in the U23 WC. Since then, he has seen one of our world’s best in classical style. In 2017 he took WC gold in 15 km classic, in 2018 Olympic gold in 50 km classic and in 2022 Olympic gold in 15 km classic. The 31-year-old still had a difficult start to the current season, after being sidelined by the coronavirus in November. Last weekend, the popular Finn was back on the podium. In French Les Rousses, he was only beaten by Johannes Høsflot Klæbo in the 20 km long classic joint start. Thus he was back as one of the biggest favorites in the five-mile race during the WC in Planica. – Haven’t taken it that seriously. But vis-à-vis news, he still goes to great lengths to write himself off. – After I realized that I didn’t have much of a chance this season, I didn’t take it so seriously. I only participated in the WC, there is no chance of top positions, he said after finishing 12th in his weakest style, freestyle, in Toblach on Saturday. POPULAR Iivo Niskanen was named athlete of the year in Finland after winning the Olympic gold in the 15 km in Beijing last year. Photo: Francisco Seco / AP – But you’re not saying that you’ve given up on winning the WC five-mile in Planica? – I don’t think I have any chance, said Niskanen. He explained the podium the weekend before as follows: – I had very fast skis then, but the form is by no means there. I’m still missing a minute on a 15 kilometer compared to last winter. – Hard to be in bad shape On Sunday he showed himself with a strong second leg for Finland in the relay, without being less self-critical for that reason – As you could see, I had no chance against Calle (Halfvarsson) and (Francesco Dei) Fabiani towards the end. I’m a little worried right now. – But you managed to close the gap out there? – Yes, it was good speed, but not enough. – Are you still negative? – It is hard to be in bad shape. DON’T BELIEVE NISKANEN: Jann Post and Torgeir Bjørn suspect Iivo Niskanen of bluffing, Photo: Annika Byrde / NTB – He’s just kidding This made news’s commentator Jann Post react. – This is Finnish comedy at its best, he stated, and was supported by expert commentator Torgeir Bjørn. – Yes, he’s just joking with us. He plays a bit, Iivo Niskanen. I will in no way write him off when it comes to the five-mile gold in Planica, says Bjørn. Norwegian stars also drew on the smile band over the statements from the Finn about poor form. – It didn’t look like that in the second round, then he was like himself, says Didrik Tønseth, who was among those who couldn’t quite keep up with the race to the finish. Pål Golberg will not participate in writing off Niskanen either. – If he has a normal day of five miles, then he is in the lead. Without Russians at the start, we have seen how the race has gone, so I am not afraid of that. Of course it’s crazy that he had his season spoiled by covid, but I don’t think he’ll give up quite yet, says the man who won the race in Toblach on Saturday. LURING: Iivo Niskanen has his own ability to be the best when it comes down to it. Photo: Terje Pedersen / NTB – Clear gold candidate – Do you think it’s a game when he says it? – Yes, it is, because we will see what he is capable of doing at the end when we go to Les Rousses. That day there was only one person who hung out, says Golberg. Iivo Niskanen’s problem is simply not taken seriously from the Norwegian side. – If there is anyone who can find and sharpen the form for a championship, it is Iivo Niskanen. Five miles in classic, there he is a clear candidate for gold. He probably puts pressure on the Norwegians, and that can be sensible, notes Torgeir Bjørn. The World Cup in Toblach at the weekend was the last before the WC in Planica, which will begin with a sprint on 23 February and will end with a 50 km classic joint start on 5 March. With Iivo Niskanen to start – in one form or another.
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