Finlandia-Hiihto

Jussi Simula made his move in the last kilometer and finished first at Finlandia Ski Marathon, and finished first 12 seconds ahead of Matti Aalto. Alexander Artemyev was third. Sini Alusniemi was in her own class in women’s 50 km free technique event.

Conditions were really tough as winning time 2.27.47 tells. Simula chose transparent skis and had at some parts some challenges due to that. Aalto, who was one of the leading four, managed to get a gap which was 1.20 minutes at Heinsuo (37,4 km).

”Conditions were terribly tough! We caught Matti a kilometer before finish. I thought to make my move straight away instead of leaving decisions to the stadium area. I came here with a victory in my mind but I knew skis would decide”, Simula said.

Aalto didn’t plan to attack and he didn’t even want to call it attack.

”The gap came accidently, my pace was just regular skiing pace. I just kept going. I didn’t think about winning. When Jussi made his move, I was too tired to think anything”, Aalto said with a smile. An outstanding winner in the ladies’ free style race


The women’s Finlandia Ski Marathon was controlled from start by Sini Alusniemi. Already on the first timing she was minutes ahead of the others. At the finish line, the gap was almost 13 minutes to the next one. Even though she was outstanding, the race was difficult for her too.

”The circumstances were extremely heavy. I don’t remember that it would have been this slow in Finlandia Ski Marathon ever. In the field areas the wind blew against you and you had to work a lot”, said Alusniemi right after crossing the finish line.

Her skis worked well. The last drinking point went a bit poorly and she lost the group she had skied with. During the race she got
strength from the fact that she is experienced with Finlandia Ski Marathon and she knew how to divide her strength.


Despite the fact that the route that felt heavier today it gets compliments from Alusniemi.

”It is a good route because of the diversity. Many of the mass ski events in Finland are so flat”, stated Alusniemi. She plans to ski in
the Pylkön hiihdot-ski event next. The races abroad attract her too, because skiing there is so different when you think just for the
scenery for example.

Russia’s Olesya Gusenkova came second and was amazed of the heavy circumstances. She thought that the tracks were good despite the weather.

”Today I fought very hard”, she said in the Finish. She was happy about her performance. She even smiled and promised to race again in Finlandia Ski Marathon next year.