Harri Kirvesniemi, a skiing expert at Sanoma, has expressed disappointment over the performance of Finnish cross-country skiers at the Milan-Cortina Olympics. He anticipated that Finland would secure at least two medals but was let down as the country only brought home a single bronze medal from the women's relay event. This lackluster showing reflects broader concerns about the state of Finnish skiing, as personal performances on individual distances fell short and the outlook does not seem promising for future competitions.

The only medal came from the women's relay team, which included athletes Johanna Matintalo, Kerttu Niskanen, Vilma Ryytty, and Jasmi Joensuu. This achievement, while significant, didn't meet the high expectations set before the games. Kirvesniemi pointed out that several factors played a role in this disappointing outcome, including illnesses that prevented key athletes, like Iivo Niskanen, from competing at their best. The team had hoped for more medals, but the overall performance resulted in only one podium finish and several near-misses.

Kirvesniemi's comments underline a pivotal moment for Finnish cross-country skiing, highlighting not only the immediate disappointment from this Olympic performance but also signaling potential challenges for the future. With the country having also received five additional medals in other sports at the games, the focus now shifts to addressing the issues within skiing to ensure better results moving forward. Without significant improvements, the prospects for Finnish skiing in upcoming championships may look grim, making this a crucial period for reevaluation and development within the sport.