The Vuokatti Aateli Race started with the traditional 1.6km freestyle prologue. Nine-time race winner and three-time Olympic gold medallist Iivo Niskanen was the fastest in the men’s category. Olli-Pekka Laitila, who also skied at the World Youth Championships, was second, and Lauri Lepistö, who skied the 50km race of his life in Holmenkollen last season, was third. The race also features many biathletes, and Otto Invenius, who did well last season, was ninth in the prologue.

Iivo Niskanen was satisfied with the first part of the three-race event.

“The weather was warm, and you could sweat a lot. It was a bit together at the beginning of the race, but the gap started to get bigger at the end. I’ve started a bit too hard, so it wasn’t so easy to get going,” Iivo Niskanen said after the race, adding about tomorrow:

“Tomorrow, we’ll start running and then (roller) skiing and see what we can get out of it at this stage. I’ve trained more than I’ve ever trained so far this year.”

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The Vuokatti Aateli Race continues tomorrow with a cross-country running race and a 12.5km roller ski competition. The race program is available after the results below.

Men’s Prologue – Top 10

1. Iivo Niskanen, Puijon Hiihtoseura, 5:59.1
2. Olli-Pekka Laitila, Vehkalahden Veikot, +6.2
3. Lauri Lepistö, Jämin Jänne, +6.6
4. Lauri Mannila, Taivalkosken Metsä-Veikot, +10.8
5. Niko Husu, Jämin Jänne, +13.1
6. Markus Vuorela, Jämin Jänne, +14.4
7. Veeti Pyykkö, Vuokatti Ski Team Kainuu, +15.0
8. Niko Anttola, Proski Oulu, +17.3
9. Otto Invenius, Ounasvaaran Hiihtoseura, +22.1
10. Jeremias Lipsanen, Inari Yritys, +23.6

Wednesday 26.06.2024

• 10:00 Local Time
• Cross-country running men 4,5km

• 10:30 Local Time
• Cross-country running women 3km

Wednesday 26.06.2024

• 12:30 Local Time
• Roller Ski men 12,5km

• 13:45 Local Time
• Roller ski women 12,5km

You can read more about the Aateli Race here