In the early stages of the Winter Olympics, Finnish skiers have shown a range of performances, with some athletes surpassing expectations while others have faced significant setbacks. Kerttu Niskanen and Lauri Vuorinen both finished strong in their respective events, achieving placements higher than their season averages, while several other competitors also managed to break into the top 20. However, the overall sentiment reflects a slight disappointment when compared to pre-Olympic hopes for the team.

A more critical eye is cast on the performances of Niilo Moilanen, Vilma Nissinen, and Ristomatti Hakola, whose underwhelming results have raised eyebrows. Moilanen was sent to compete in the sprint but did not advance past the qualifications, while Nissinen struggled after a fall in the combined event, finishing in a lowly 40th position. Hakola's struggle was even more pronounced as he fell behind, ending the event in 52nd place. The failures of these athletes are particularly notable given the high expectations they carried into the Games, leading to questions about the training and selection process leading up to the Olympics.

The article reflects on the implications of these disappointing performances for Finnish skiing, which has historically been a strong contender on the international stage. The disappointing results from Moilanen and Hakola, in particular, occur in a context where the Finnish public and stakeholders had placed substantial hopes on them, highlighting the pressure athletes face when representing their country. This scrutiny of individual performances could have lasting impacts on future selections and training methods as Finland seeks to improve its standing in the skiing world in upcoming competitions and Olympic events.