Finnish cross-country skier Iivo Niskanen faced a disappointing setback at the Lago di Tesero ski stadium in Italy, as he had to withdraw from the 50-kilometer race about 37 minutes in due to illness. This unexpected turn of events evoked strong reactions from Finnish viewers, who seemed to redirect their excitement towards the stadium's beverage stands instead, forming long lines for beer and other drinks available at the event.

The race itself was dominated by Norway's Johannes Klæbo, who secured the Olympic gold in the men's 50-kilometer traditional event, marking his impressive sixth gold medal in Olympic competitions. Following Klæbo was Martin Nyenget in second place and Emil Iversen in third. While the Finnish spectators were left disappointed by Niskanen's early exit, there was still some representation in the standings, with Arsi Ruuskanen finishing in seventh place, indicating a noteworthy performance among the rivals.

Additionally, the event saw others like Lauri Vuorinen finishing 27th, while Ristomatti Hakola had to withdraw at the last minute due to health issues, further emphasizing the challenges faced by the Finnish team at this competition. Overall, the day reflected both the highs of skiing excellence and the lows of competition, especially for local fans of Niskanen, who visibly expressed their disappointment and made the best of the situation by enjoying beverages instead of witnessing their athlete's desired performance.