Kerttu Niskanen and Johanna Matintalo, two prominent Finnish cross-country skiers, have confirmed their withdrawal from this weekend's World Cup races in Falun. The Finnish Ski Federation announced this decision, stating that both athletes were initially named to the team. However, Matintalo is still recovering from the back issues she experienced during last week's Olympics and has opted to sit out this event in order to prepare fully for the upcoming World Cup in Lahti next week.

Matintalo's withdrawal raises concerns given her previous performance struggles at the Olympics, which were influenced by her back pain. She expressed her commitment to making a strong return in Lahti, emphasizing her need for full recovery prior to competing. The Finnish team will still be represented in Falun by other athletes, including Jasmi Joensuu and Tiia Olkkonen for the women's events, which will feature sprint races on Saturday followed by combination races on Sunday.

While the reason for Niskanen's absence was not disclosed, her departure from the squad adds uncertainty for the Finnish team as they prepare for the races. Niskanen and Matintalo both play crucial roles within the team, and their absence may impact the overall performance of Finland at this significant event in the World Cup series. The team remains focused on the upcoming races, aiming to ensure strong results despite the setback caused by these key withdrawals.