Iivo Niskanen, a Finnish cross-country skier, aimed to compete for a medal in the combined skiing event at Val di Fiemme. However, within ten minutes of the race commencing, his hopes quickly diminished as he struggled to maintain his pace amidst increasing competition. Despite initially leading during a critical uphill segment, Niskanen soon found himself overtaken by competitors, revealing issues with his skiing technique and equipment.

As the race progressed, Niskanen's performance declined sharply, resulting in a significant loss of time during the final traditional skiing segment. He ultimately finished 17th, far from his initial expectations, which shifted from medal contention to simply finishing the race competently. The race was dominated by Norwegian skier Johannes Hösflot Kläbo, followed by French skier Mathis Desloges and Norwegian Martin Löwström Nyenget.

The outcome of this race highlights not just Niskanen’s challenging day but also the competitive nature of international skiing events, where even seasoned athletes can find themselves unexpectedly sidelined. This also raises questions about the effectiveness of training and equipment for top-tier athletes in high-stakes competitions, as well as the unpredictability of athletic performance at these levels.