Jasmin Kähärä, a promising young Finnish cross-country skier and sprint world champion, has been flagged for a troubling decline in her performance leading up to the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Expert Pirjo Muranen identified warning signs back in December 2025, criticizing Kähärä's physical and technical abilities and suggesting she might have stagnated or even regressed in her training. Despite the hopes pinned on her as a future star, these concerns have surfaced just before a crucial period in her athletic career.

In a disappointing turn of events, Kähärä's performance during the anchor leg of a recent relay at the Tesero Olympic Ski Stadium was underwhelming, causing Finland to slip from a hopeful second place to ninth. Muranen's earlier critiques seemed to ring true as Kähärä struggled with the challenges she faced, reflecting not just on her skills but also on her preparation for the competitive season. Her potential to compete effectively on the world stage is now in question, as fans and analysts wonder if Kähärä can overcome these obstacles before the Olympics.

The implications of Kähärä's struggles extend beyond her individual journey; they affect Finland's standing in international skiing competitions. As she has been seen as a key player in the country's skiing roster, her decline could lead to a re-evaluation of the upcoming Olympic team and strategies. With the Olympics on the horizon, the Finnish skiing community is left in a precarious position, hoping that Kähärä can find a way to regain her form and fulfill the expectations set for her career.