Iivo Niskanen, a Finnish cross-country skier, finished in 17th place during the combined skiing event on Sunday in Val di Fiemme, falling short of pre-competition medal expectations. He reported feeling surprisingly unwell, stating that he did not anticipate being in such a poor physical state. Niskanen briefly led the competition but lost pace around the five-kilometer mark of the classical segment, indicating he struggled with significant grip problems on his skis. This was a disappointing outcome for an athlete typically viewed as a strong contender in skiing events.

After the race, Niskanen refrained from providing comments about his grip issues, which suggests a level of frustration or disappointment in his performance. He described his condition as inadequate and expressed intentions to attempt a comeback in two weeks during his primary event of the season, the traditional 50 kilometers. Niskanen's struggle this time raises questions about his training and readiness as he gears up for future competitions. From the information provided, it appears that Niskanen might be under a considerable amount of pressure to perform, given his prior successes.

With the next significant race approaching, all eyes will be on whether Niskanen can recover and rectify the issues he faced during this competition. His acknowledgment of grip problems and an overall inadequate performance may serve as a wake-up call for himself and his coaching team, highlighting the importance of preparation and equipment in high-stakes snowy conditions. The skiing community and fans alike will be keenly awaiting his return to form in the upcoming races.