Markus Vuorela Explained

Markus Vuorela (born 28 May 1996) is a Finnish cross-country skier.

Career

At the Junior World Championships he competed in 2016, 2017 (U23) and 2019 (U23) with his best individual finish being 13th in the 2017 sprint.

He made his World Cup debut in March 2018 in Lahti, but went several years without collecting World Cup points. During the 2021 Tour de Ski, he performed well in Val di Fiemme with a 16th and 7th place, ensuring a 27th place overall.[1] YLE called him "the major blue-white sensation" during the tour.[2] In the run-up to the 2021-22 FIS Cross-Country World Cup, he sustained a fracture in his wrist.[3] Still, from 2022 he collected World Cup points more or less consistently, breaking into the top 20 several times.

Vuorela also competed at the 2021 and 2023 World Championships, with his best finish being 28th in the 15 kilometre freestyle race in 2021. He was brought into the 2023 squad as a reserve for Arsi Ruuskanen.[4]

Notes and References

  1. News: Markus Vuorela låg i ledningen och körde med utmärkta skidor – säkrade till slut karriärens bästa placering i världscupen. Ahlnäs. Mats. 8 January 2021. YLE. sv. 14 July 2024.
  2. News: Direkt: Dags för monsterbacken – fortsätter Markus Vuorela att överraska?. Vuojärvi. Christian. 10 January 2021. YLE. sv. 14 July 2024.
  3. News: Tungt bakslag för Markus Vuorela – skadade sig under höghöjdslägret: "Stukade vristen och hörde ett knäpp". Vuojärvi. Christian. 26 October 2021. YLE. sv. 14 July 2024.
  4. News: Remi Lindholm och VM-reserven Markus Vuorela kör 15 kilometer – Iivo Niskanen står över och Joni Mäki åker hem. Forsblom. Mattias. 27 February 2023. YLE. sv. 14 July 2024.