Vilma Nissinen faced the biggest moment of her career during her Olympic debut in Val di Fiemme, but her hopes were quickly dashed. After just over five minutes of skiing, Nissinen fell during a sharp turn, an incident that affected many other competitors as well. Despite beginning the race in a promising 17th position, the crash led her to finish 40th, a stark contrast to her initial expectations.

Reflecting on the incident, Nissinen noted the chaotic nature of the ski run, observing how other skiers had already fallen in front of her. She attempted to navigate the tricky descent carefully but ended up losing control. The challenging conditions and the series of mishaps among her fellow competitors made it impossible for her to maintain her pace after the fall, leading to a disappointing performance.

The implications of her crash extend beyond just the race results; it highlights the unpredictable nature of competitive skiing and the additional pressures athletes feel during significant events like the Olympics. Nissinen's experience serves as a reminder of the impact that collective mistakes can have in high-stakes competitions, and the emotional weight they carry for athletes making their Olympic debuts.