Last season, Team Kaski-Ekovilla finished 13th in the Pro Team competition and was the best Finnish team. According to Pro Team Director Kari Varis, the team had ambitious goals. The aim was to get the team into the top six over the next three years.

They had agreed with their partners to double their budget for the coming season. Three training camps would be held at home, and in the autumn, camps would be held in both Italy and Spain. 

“The funding, comprehensive camp program, and coaching offered to the athletes was in place, but we couldn’t put together a competitive team that could have achieved the target,” says Varis.

“If young skiers dared to invest in long-distance skiing, it would benefit their future skiing careers. Focusing on the Ski Classics series would build a strong base of basic capacity and endurance and bring success in the traditional distances. The career of Astrid Øyre Slind is a good example of this,” says Varis.

According to the Team Director, Finland should definitely have a Ski Classics event. It would bring much-needed visibility to the series, Finnish skiing venues, and Finnish skiers.

“We have excellent conditions, safe snow conditions, and good trail networks,” Varis continues. Last season, the Jizerská race had to be canceled due to poor snow conditions.

Team Kaski-Ekovilla’s top male skier Juuso Mäkelä’s best finishes were 15th and 16th in the challenging men’s category. Mäkelä also brought solid expertise in ski service and, most recently, fluor-free waxing. Veli-Matti Räsänen also skied in the team’s colors for all three seasons. Last season, Miro Karppanen fought with the leaders in the classic Marcialonga race until the end, finishing 19th. In the women’s category, Oona Kettunen in 6th place and Katri Lylynperä in 7th were the team’s best finishers.

For more information 
Kari Varis, Team Manager
Phone 050-3082430

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