Former Skier Minna Karhu Appointed Ski Sport Finland Director, Aims to Boost Funding

Minna Karhu, a former freestyle skier with a distinguished career, has been appointed the new executive director of Ski Sport Finland, effective September 1. Karhu, 54, brings 13 years of experience within the governing body for Finnish alpine and freestyle skiing, most recently serving as administrative director.

Karhu expressed her honor at the selection, stating her enthusiasm for developing both herself and the organization. She succeeds Janne Leskinen, who is moving to a new role as head of alpine skiing at the International Ski Federation (FIS).

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I am very honored by this. Of course, new things will come, but it's great that I get to develop myself and this organization.

Finland's alpine ski teams have shown promising development in recent years, with athletes like Eduard Hallberg achieving World Cup podiums in slalom and Elian Lehto nearing the top ten in downhill. In freestyle skiing, Anni Kärävä and Elias Syrjä secured World Championship medals in 2025. Karhu sees a positive situation with talented young athletes but believes "small adjustments" can lead to better results.

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We are still missing consistent top-level performance. Last season already brought podium finishes, so we are not far off. With long-term work, good results will come.

However, Karhu acknowledges that Finland has yet to consistently compete for medals at major events. While individual top performances demonstrate potential, the regularity required at the world's highest level is still developing. "We are still missing consistent top-level performance," Karhu said. "Last season already brought podium finishes, so we are not far off. With long-term work, good results will come."

Karhu also highlighted the financial disparities, noting that Ski Sport Finland's investment of approximately 1.5 million euros for the upcoming World Championship season is significantly lower than that of many international competitors. "Our financial figures in Finland are much smaller than those of international competitors," she stated. "When we talk about sports, we will likely never reach a level where there is enough funding." Strengthening the financial base is therefore one of her key objectives.

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Our financial figures in Finland are much smaller than those of international competitors. When we talk about sports, we will likely never reach a level where there is enough funding.