Finnish skier Kerttu Niskanen, 37, is learning to approach her Olympic experience with a sense of relaxation. Spending nearly a month in a hotel in the village of Stava, she has been balancing her time between training and rest, understanding that the Olympics is a lengthy commitment. Niskanen, participating in her fourth Olympics, commented on the intensity of the events and the necessity for consistent training to build her competitive edge after facing health challenges earlier in the year.

In her opening event, the combined skiing, Niskanen finished in fifth place, an encouraging sign that she is regaining her form following a period of illness in January. She described the competition as demanding, with challenging weather conditions, but noted she was able to recover well post-race. Niskanen has indicated that she thrives on tough competitions, which she believes are crucial for her to improve her performance as she progresses through the Olympic events.

Looking ahead, Niskanen sees the upcoming free 10km race as a beneficial opportunity, although she does not consider herself a top medal contender unless extraordinary circumstances arise, such as facing severe weather conditions similar to those that affected her opening race. Her focus remains on enjoying the journey and performing to the best of her ability throughout the competition season, balancing the mental and physical demands of elite skiing.