The ski trails at Val di Fiemme for the upcoming Milan-Cortina Olympics are described as unusually difficult, a factor that benefits Finnish skier Iivo Niskanen. According to Finland's head coach Teemu Pasanen, the trails are much tougher than what the profile and elevation suggest, providing a challenging environment for the athletes. Niskanen, who previously won an Olympic bronze, is targeting a medal in the combined skiing event scheduled for Sunday.

Skiing experts and athletes from Finland have often complained about overly easy trails in past competitions; however, the upcoming event presents a notable exception. Ristomatti Hakola, a fellow Finnish skier, expressed disbelief at the new trail profiles, suggesting that the difficulty level is at least double what is typically encountered in the World Cup. Hakola emphasized that the current track conditions, especially if the weather remains slow, will push athletes to their limits and highlighted Niskanen's favorable position given the trail's challenging nature.

Overall, the anticipation grows around Niskanen's performance, particularly given the unique and demanding conditions of the Val di Fiemme course. As he prepares for the Olympic competition, the focus will be on whether this tough setting plays to his strengths and if he can clinch another Olympic medal, contributing to Finland's legacy in cross-country skiing.