Varis and Colliander well prepared for their season’s highlight

There are already 3490 registered skiers for Saturday’s 50 km classical event at Finlandia-hiihto. Among them there will be Kari Varis, winner at 2007 & 2008 in both events and last year in free technique race, and Niklas Colliander, the defending champion in 50 km classical event.
“I can’t wait to get to race again! I have had the feeling the past two weeks and I am looking forward to the race as one of my season’s definite highlight. It is an important event for me for sure. I assume the fight about top places will be during the last 10 kilometre”, says Varis.
Colliander, known as sprinter also at World Cup level, is naturally looking forward to the last kilometres too:
“That final spurt is my strength”, says Colliander.
Total number of registrated skiers was on the early Friday afternoon 5679. There are 750 skiers representing other than Finland, including 254 Russians, who traditionally tend to have a strong group in the 50 km races.