Salpausselkä Games 2026: Lylynperä's breakthrough, Niskanen's grit, and Dingo's comeback – a weekend that had it all
Lahti has once again proven it's the heart of Finnish cross-country skiing. The Salpausselkä Games 2026 drew thousands of spectators to the Lahti ski stadium and along the trails to soak up world-class skiing action. The weekend was packed with drama, tears of joy, and some truly special moments – and yes, Dingo's return to the stage also had plenty of ski fans buzzing.
Saturday's sensation: Katri Lylynperä powers into the final
Saturday was all about the classic sprint, and it served up some thrilling moments for the home crowd right from the start. Expected names like Jasmi Joensuu and Jasmin Kähärä put in strong performances in the qualifiers, but the real surprise of the day was Katri Lylynperä. She blazed through her heat at a cracking pace to book her spot in the final with her best showing of the season. The crowd roared as Lylynperä crossed the line – this was the long-awaited breakthrough many had been hoping for. In the men's sprint, the Norwegians continued their usual dominance, but the Lahti crowd appreciated the fight from other nations too.
Sunday's grand finale: Niskanen holds her nerve and Dingo rocks the house
Salpausselkä Games 2026 - Sunday kicked off under clear, crisp skies, with the day's top stars taking to the trails. Kerttu Niskanen showed once again why she's known as "The Queen of Classics." She powered through a strong 10km race, battling for top honours right down to the final straight. Krista Pärmäkoski, meanwhile, showed true grit: despite some concerns along the way, she dug deep and secured a valuable finish. But the highlight of Sunday was undoubtedly the after-ski event right next to the trails, featuring a performance by legendary band Dingo. When the band launched into their classics, the stands were full of skiers and families singing along. There aren't many places where top-tier skiing and Finnish rock come together as seamlessly as they do at Salpausselkä.
Weekend highlights
- Saturday: Katri Lylynperä lights up the women's sprint final – the next step towards the world's best?
- Saturday: Jasmi Joensuu and Jasmin Kähärä battle it out at the sharp end, though a final spot remained just out of reach.
- Sunday: Kerttu Niskanen skis with steely determination to finish right in the podium mix – experience shining through.
- Sunday: Dingo sends the crowd wild: "Levoton Tuhkimo" ringing out across the stands.
- The whole weekend: Lahti in its finest light – an unbeatable race atmosphere.
As the Salpausselkä Games 2026 - Saturday and Sunday were wrapped up, the mood was one of gratitude. The skiing community witnessed the fight of the Finns, promising glimpses of the future, and an unforgettable cultural experience. It's already clear that next year, everyone will be back in Lahti – because you just can't miss a weekend like this.