After winning the 10km event in Falun, Iivo Niskanen declared that there is a Swedish skier he fears more than Norwegian superstar Johannes Høsflot Klæbo at the upcoming World Championships in Trondheim.

Back in November, Niskanen claimed victory in the 10km race at the World Cup opener in Ruka. On Saturday, he once again crushed Klæbo and the entire Norwegian World Cup elite. The Finnish skier remains undefeated in the event this season, and in two weeks, it will be featured at the World Championships. Niskanen is brimming with confidence.

“If I stay healthy, I’m unbeatable,” Niskanen said after his victory in Ruka.

A Swede Keeping Niskanen Up at Night

He has since toned down his statement somewhat. However, following his latest triumph in Falun, Niskanen delivered another jab at Klæbo, who finished second: It’s not the Norwegian star he fears the most at Worlds—it’s a Swede who is keeping him up at night: William Poromaa.

Poromaa, Sweden’s big medal hope, is currently training at altitude in preparation for the World Championships and did not compete in Falun. However, he won the classic mass start at the World Cup in Les Rousses in mid-January.

“He was so strong in Les Rousses that I’ve been a little worried about my own form,” Niskanen admitted.

Klæbo More Worried About Niskanen Than Poromaa

Klæbo, on the other hand, is more concerned about Niskanen than the Swede when he lines up for the 10km race on home soil in Trondheim.

“Iivo is proving here that he’s strong, so he’ll be the man to beat. We already know that when it comes to the 10km classic. We just have to be prepared for a tough day,” Klæbo told NRK after his second-place finish on Saturday.

“They didn’t hand out any World Championship gold medals today. That happens on March 4,” he added.

Advantage Norway?

Norwegian national team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum sees Niskanen’s dominance in the 10km classic this season as an advantage for the Norwegian skiers.

“It’s good that we didn’t win today. Now all the World Championship pressure is on Iivo (Niskanen), and nothing could be better than that,” Nossum told Viaplay after the race in Falun on Saturday afternoon.

The 10km classic individual start is scheduled for March 4 at the World Championships in Trondheim.

Read More: World Cup calendar for the 2024/2025 Winter Season 

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