The former pop star was the first to start in the men’s 10 km split start race.
11:27•Updated 15:26
Antti Tuiskun the first ski race at the SM level attracted completely new spectators to the ski slopes.
The former pop star started first in the men’s traditional ten-kilometer time trial race on Saturday. According to the race organizer, Tuisku’s participation was reflected in advance ticket sales. On the day of the race, according to the race organizer’s unofficial estimate, there were a couple of thousand spectators, and an estimated few hundred people had come to watch Tuisku.
The Tuisku drug was also noticeable at the competition venue. On Saturday, well before the start of the men’s race, dozens of people wearing the caps of the AT Ski Team founded by Antti Tuisku could be seen around the race stadium. A yellow beanie was able to enter the stadium without a ticket.
A little before Tuisku’s departure, Tuisku’s own song Peto on irti started playing over the stadium speakers. Tuisku was always cheered when he skied through the stadium.
The skier himself was taken by the encouragement he received.
– Yes, it was sensitive on that last climb, when people shouted on it, Antti Tuisku said after reaching the finish line.
Tuisku skied ten kilometers in 32:59.6. His final ranking was 142. Eight skiers remained behind Tuisku.
“I’m not terribly interested in skiing”
Sisters Henna and Jonna Pietiläinen came from Lappeenranta to watch Antti Tuisku’s skiing.
– We have been fans and listened to Ant since Idols, so we had to go see it, says Henna Pietiläinen.
Without Tuisku’s participation, the siblings would not have come to watch the skiing at all.
– I would never have thought that I would go to watch the skiing competitions, when I have never really been interested in skiing, Pietiläinen says.
Pals Suvi Leppänen, Iina Kahelin and Suvi Tuomi on the other hand, they followed their idol to Imatra from Hämeenlinna. The trio says that they have been fans of Tuisku for a long time.
– We like him very much. We are not so much fans of skiing, but it was clear that we would come here to cheer him on.
Antti Tuisku, who ended his career as an artist in the summer of 2023, said in February of last year that he would become a full-time skier and aim for the 2025 World Championships.