For the first time in history, the fastest non-motorised sport on the planet holds a FIS night race in the Finnish resort of Salla. Psychologically it has been less difficult than I thought. Although we faced the unknown, visibility was good and I was able to get a good performance. Competing for the first time at night and on a track like Salla, has forced us to use ourselves to the fullest in every metre of the track and I am very happy to be among the 4 best in the world in this historical race. This experience has been a highlight for me, mainly because of how beautiful the night landscape looked, all illuminated with powerful spotlights; it was magical out there.
The race saw Italy’s Simone Origone (158.77 kilometres per hour) winning the men's category, while in women Sweden’s Britta Backland (155.51 kilometres per hour) took the first prize.
The competition itself was influenced heavily by the challenges presented by the night-time conditions: far less visibility despite the spotlights, the decrease in thermal sensation and a colder and harder track, which make it harder for the racers to adapt to the track irregularities.
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