During the women's relay event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Finnish ski expert Harri Kirvesniemi remarked on the surprising outcome of the relay team’s performance. Contrary to expectations, the free technique skiers performed much better than anticipated while the traditional style didn't yield the anticipated results. Kirvesniemi mentioned that he had expected Finland to gain an advantage using the traditional technique, but the results defied those expectations.

Special attention was given to Vilma Ryyty, whose performance left a significant impression on Kirvesniemi. He highlighted how Ryyty's run, particularly when compared to her performance in the free technique ten-kilometer race, was phenomenal. Despite finishing much lower in the individual event where she was 18th, Ryyty managed to create a substantial gap of 45 seconds over her competitor, Malin Kälin, in the relay, showcasing a remarkable turnaround that was unexpected based on her previous performance.

Kirvesniemi's comments underscore the fluctuating dynamics of competitive skiing, where team events can yield outcomes distinct from individual races. The praise for Ryyty’s performance reflects not only her skill but also a shift in the strategic evaluation of technique used in the relays. This conversation likely sparks discussions about training focuses for upcoming competitions as the Finnish team aims to build on this success.