Krista Pärmäkoski to End Career After Upcoming Season

Finnish cross-country skiing star Krista Pärmäkoski announced on Thursday, the day before the start of the Cross-country skiing World Cup season, that the upcoming season will be her last as a professional athlete.

– My journey has been filled with unforgettable moments, successes, joy, and laughter, but also with setbacks and disappointments, Pärmäkoski wrote on Instagram, reflecting on her path from junior competitions to the top of the World Cup.

Pärmäkoski added that she thought she was ready to retire in the spring of 2023, but the timing would have been premature. Now, she feels at peace with the decision and promises to enjoy the season to the fullest.

– Once more, I get to enjoy the pre-race nerves, the thrill of the start, giving my all, and experiencing both victories and disappointments, she wrote.

Pärmäkoski’s 18th World Cup season begins tomorrow, Friday, with her signature event: the 10 km classical interval start.



She won her first championship medals at the 2011 World Championships in Oslo, taking silver in the team sprint and bronze in the relay. Her first individual championship medal came at the 2017 Lahti World Championships in skiathlon, followed by three medals at the 2018 Winter Olympics.

At the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Pärmäkoski claimed bronze in the 10 km classical. Known for peaking at major championships, she has also performed strongly in the Tour de Ski.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will be Pärmäkoski’s fifth. She will start on the opening day of the Games in the women’s 20 km skiathlon on Saturday, February 7.