In the recent women's 4x6km relay, Finnish skier Suvi Minkkinen faced challenges due to fatigue stemming from a lack of sleep following her Olympic bronze win. Minkkinen mentioned that her performance was not at its best as she brought the team to a seventh-place finish, with a notable time disadvantage against the fastest skier on her leg. Despite her tiredness, she found the overall gap to the leaders surprisingly small given her physical state.

Minkkinen's struggles were compounded by her feelings of exhaustion, stating that her body felt sluggish during practice leading up to the race. The athlete noted that she had not been able to recover adequately after her recent victory, which may have impacted her competitive edge. Although she performed under challenging circumstances, Minkkinen reported feeling more energetic and responsive on the day of the race, although initial warm-up activities were quite difficult.

This event highlights the physical demands on athletes competing in high-stake races shortly after significant achievements. For Minkkinen, balancing intense competition with recovery is crucial, especially after securing a medal at the Olympics. How well she and other athletes manage their rest and recuperation will be vital as they continue to compete in upcoming events.