July 01, 2010 (Vuokatti, Finland) – Finland’s Aino-Kaisa Saarinen was the queen and Lari Lehtonen the king at this year’s traditional Vuokatin Aateli Race which took place in Vuokatti, Finland on June 29-30. Saarinen won by 37 seconds over Krista Lähteenmäki while Riitta-Liisa Roponen, winner of the prologue, finished third overall.

Finland's Aino-Kaisa Saarinen. © Heinz Ruckemann file photo

The race included a 1.6km rollerski prologue up to Vuokatinvaara on day one. The final day began with cross-country running (men 4.5km, ladies 3km) followed by the final stage which was another rollerski up to Vuokatinvaara, only this time it was a normal distance pursuit race (10/15 km).

While Saarinen’s victory was no surprise, Lehtonen’s victory on men’s side was an unexpected win. He took the lead after prologue and finished 1.36 seconds ahead of Matti Heikkinen overall with Teemu Kattilakoski in third.

Full results here.

Contributed by Heidi Lehikoinen