Congratulations to Alexander Ståhlberg and Melker Wikblom on a great race in the Finnish Cup
Thank you, Alexander and Melker, for the cooperation – and congratulations on an excellent race.
The work of Alexander Ståhlberg and Melker Wikblom over the past season has been built on determined collaboration, where even the smallest details have been taken seriously – including what’s under the skis. In Saturday’s 15 km classic race at the Finnish Cup, Alexander finished sensationally in second place, while Melker placed 17th.
The joint work on ski grinding has been mutually beneficial. The athletes have gained access to increasingly well-performing equipment, and in return valuable insight has been gathered on how the new fluorine-free grinding patterns perform at real race speeds. The transition to the fluorine-free era has changed the nature of the game: ski grinding matters more than ever, and the right choices are reflected directly on the stopwatch.
The results at the Finnish Cup in Tampere spoke for themselves. Ståhlberg fought his way to second place, and Wikblom, still a junior, finished 17th in the men’s field – results that provide extra momentum for upcoming races and training. On Sunday, the strong relay legs skied by Alexander and Melker played a key role as IF Minken celebrated the first relay podium in the club’s history in the Finnish Cup.
On the junior side, Wikblom has also shown what he is capable of. One week earlier, he collected two medals at the Junior Finnish Championships, clear proof that his development is no coincidence but the result of long-term, systematic work.
Ståhlberg and Wikblom represent a young generation that refuses to stand on the sidelines. Behind their performances lies an uncompromising attitude, a strong desire to improve, and eyes already fixed on the next step forward. The Finnish elite is no longer a distant dream – it is already part of everyday reality.
The cooperation with XCSkiGuru has been highly productive, and it is easy to place confidence in it going forward as well. These athletes are well worth following closely.
