Eero Hirvonen, who anchored Finland to a silver medal in the team competition, confronted Japanese skier Ryota Yamamoto during the race due to repeated interference. The competitive atmosphere intensified as Hirvonen expressed his frustrations during the broadcast, stating that the close encounters were highly disruptive, particularly in a race that was for Olympic medals. He described how the situation escalated quickly, as competitors were vying for the top positions, and tensions ran high when physical contact occurred.

The race featured difficult conditions with heavy snowfall, causing the track to be soft and visually challenging, as nearly 30 centimeters of snow accumulated throughout the competition. These harsh conditions meant that athletes had to maintain focus to avoid errors, significantly heightening the stakes. The challenge was not just physical performance but also the mental game, as competitors had to navigate not just the snowy terrain but also the actions of their rivals, like Yamamoto's tactics that frustrated Hirvonen.

Ultimately, Hirvonen and his team were relieved when Yamamoto collided with Germany's Vinzenz Geiger during the penultimate leg of the race, which eliminated the threat from the Japanese skier. Hirvonen downplayed the incident by mentioning that he had received apologies and that nothing was seriously damaged, indicating that while these competitive clashes can lead to tensions, they are often part of the sport. This incident underscored the intensity of Olympic competition where every maneuver must be calculated amidst both the elements and rivals on the course.