A 3-time World Champion, Mika Myllylä was a legendary Finnish cross-country skier who also had 6 Olympic medals in his kitty, including a gold. He also held a record 23 Finnish cross-country titles. His career was plagued by doping scandals, and he ultimately died in an accident in his apartment.
Legendary Finnish-Nordic skier Eero Mäntyranta, also known as Mister Seefeld, had won 7 Olympic medals, including 2 golds. A rare genetic mutation caused his RBC count to be higher than usual, causing people to suspect him of doping. In 1972, he tested positive for amphetamine.
Kalle Palander is a Finnish former alpine skier best known for winning a gold medal at the 1999 World Championships in Vail. Palander, who also won the FIS Alpine Ski World Cup in 2003, is considered the most successful male alpine skier from Finland.
Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi is a Finnish retired cross-country skier. She is best known for winning three gold medals and one bronze medal at the 1984 Winter Olympic Games in Sarajevo where she was the most successful athlete. She also won bronze medals at the 1988 and 1994 Winter Olympic Games. In 1989, Marja-Liisa Kirvesniemi was honored with the prestigious Holmenkollen medal.
Tanja Poutiainen is a Finnish former alpine ski racer who specialized in the giant slalom and slalom events. She is best known for winning a silver medal at the 2006 Olympic Games in Torino. Tanja Poutiainen also won a couple of silver medals at the 2005 World Championships.
Sara Mustonen was a Finnish alpine skier. In 1977, Mustonen won the gold medal in the slalom event, becoming the youngest skier to win the prestigious Finnish alpine ski championship title at age 14. Sara Mustonen went on to win 25 medals in alpine ski championships between 1975 and 1979. She died in a skiing accident at age 16.
Veikko Hakulinen was a Finnish cross-country skier best remembered for winning three gold medals, three silver medals, and one bronze medal in the Olympic Games. He was also a three-time world champion. Apart from cross-country skiing, Veikko Hakulinen also competed in orienteering, cross-country running, ski-orienteering, rowing, and biathlon at national level.
Nastassia Kinnunen is a Finnish cross-country skier and biathlete. Born in Haradok, Soviet Union, Kinnunen represented Belarus in international competitions. In 2017, she moved to Finland and was granted Finnish citizenship in 2020. Nastassia Kinnunen has competed in popular events like Winter Olympics and FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.
Finnish former alpine skier Sanni Leinonen was placed 7th in the slalom at the Maribor World Cup, which was her best result. She also represented her country in the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. Apart from giant slalom, she also competes in super combined and super g.