The anointing chief opens the challenges for the men’s kingship – the memory of two years of severe failure and the darkening of Iivo Niskanen is still in memory

Lubrication Manager Mika Venäläinen still remembers well the 50-kilometer men’s race in Holmenkollen two years ago. Iivo Niskanen victory was expected from the kingship and the start looked good when the Finns led the troops.

However, the difficulties began at just over 40 kilometers when Niskanen collapsed from 6th to 16th place. Niskanen had changed his skis for 31 kilometers and instantly fell off the top.

– The situation changed quite a lot and the anticipation went wrong. It is hoped that today, at least with these prospects, the situation will not change that much, the Russian said in an interview with Sport.

Finland’s maintenance has been successful in its work this season, and Saturday’s 30-kilometer women’s race also had a good result. According to the Russian, there were good and bad in the women’s race, and the biggest challenges were how well the athletes found the best pairs of skis in their own equipment.

– That’s where those throws come in most. Yesterday the ladies did well. Kristalla (Yeast watersecond in the race) went very well, Kertulla (Niskanenfourth of the race) maybe a small adjustment could have been that he would have been able to ski through the entire race in the first pair.

In the men’s race, the challenge is compounded by the fact that the start of the race is two hours later than the women’s race and lasts considerably longer. Because of that, the success of the women’s race is of little use in the men’s race.

– Because men have a longer distance and the deterioration of the ski is even bigger than yesterday. Under yesterday’s circumstances, the change was surprisingly small, as it has sometimes been even greater.

The men’s race involves six laps of 8.3 kilometers of track. According to the Russian, there are some sunny places on the track, but there are very few in the final game. At a distance of 8.3 kilometers, it may be about a kilometer warm, but the shade remains cold.

During the race, skiers are allowed one ski change, but there may be more pairs in the lodge, actually as much as can fit. The Russian believes that Finnish skiers will choose one or two pairs and the exchange will focus on both halves of the middle of the race.

Skiers have not been able to compete in similar conditions this season, making it difficult to choose both a ski and a maintenance job. Who can best anticipate changes in conditions and who can find the right equipment for this is strong.

– Whichever group you go to or can ski in, you should watch how the first couple works. According to it, those game moves are made. We have to follow that other group, because they are competing against them, the Russian advised.

However, when it comes to a 50-kilometer trip that is skied in the traditional way, Iivo Niskanen has been hit hard and the maintenance team has also succeeded well. Lubrication Manager Mika Venäläinen will not go banging.

– There are wishes, of course!