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Iivo Niskanen – The skiing icon's road to Trondheim

Iivo Niskanen – The skiing icon's road to Trondheim

In the world of cross-country skiing, few names command as much respect as Iivo Niskanen. As part of Swix’s Road to the World Champs series, we look closely at his journey and his quiet, relentless pursuit of excellence ahead of the 2025 World Championships in Trondheim.

Fueled by sibling rivalry

Grand ambitions didn’t drive Niskanen’s path to elite skiing at first. Instead, it started with sibling rivalry. “I used to compete on the snow against my sister and always wanted to be better than her,” Niskanen recalls. That competitive spark ignited something deeper, propelling him toward the highest levels of the sport by the time he was 13.

The art of peaking at the right time

Iivo Niskanen isn’t just a talented skier – he’s a strategist. Known for delivering his best performances when the stakes are highest, Niskanen credits this to his meticulous planning. “I set targets before the season starts, aiming to be at my highest level – both mentally and physically – when it matters the most,” he says. For Niskanen, every season is a project, and every championship is a goalpost he trains his mind and body for.

A natural classic skier

When asked about his impeccable technique in classic skiing, Niskanen’s answer is as understated as his personality. “Classic and diagonal are the most natural ways to ski for me,” he explains. “I don’t think about it that much – I just do what I’ve learned and what feels natural.” This simplicity, however, belies years of dedication and refinement, making him the skier many competitors try to emulate.

Eyes set on Trondheim

The 2025 World Championships in Trondheim hold a special place for Niskanen. “It’s cool to compete in Norway – the hometown of many top skiers,” he says, acknowledging the rich history of skiing in the region. For Niskanen, competing on Norwegian soil adds an extra layer of excitement and motivation.

His preparation has no elaborate pre-race rituals – just a focus on executing everything to perfection. “I don’t have any special rituals,” Niskanen admits. “I just make sure to do everything as perfectly as possible.”

Iivo Niskanen remains something of a mystery – a quiet force in the world of cross-country skiing, driven not by fanfare but by an unwavering desire to push his limits. As the countdown to the 2025 World Championships continues, all eyes will be on the man from Finland, who lets his skiing do the talking.

Iivo is a Swix athlete, competing with our Triac poles. Swix is an official partner on apparel and ski wax for the World Championship in Trondheim.

Triac 4.0 Aero