Nightwish singer Floor Jansen to speak at Kipinä Event in November

Kipinä Event brings together influential figures from the business world, creating inspiring discussions for business leaders. The event features pioneers and successful figures from various industries across the Nordics and Europe sharing their ideas and experiences.

The keynote speaker for Friday’s Kipinä Event is none other than Floor Jansen (NED) from the rock world’s pinnacle, known as the lead singer of Nightwish. Her speech will focus on her illustrious career, the inspiring story of Nightwish, and what it’s like to work as a woman in a male-dominated field. Other notable speakers include author and TED Talk speaker David J.P. Phillips (SWE), who will discuss branding, communication, and self- leadership. International business leader Sabrina Suikki (SWE) from the Swedish Chamber of Commerce will speak on international business opportunities and cross- border synergies in Arctic Europe. Also taking the stage is Mehiläinen’s Chief Quality Officer Maiju Welling, whose speech will focus on leadership for sustainable growth, powered by values and stories. The event’s main themes include inspiration, corporate social responsibility, brand thinking, and leadership.

“This is the first time we’re organizing the event in collaboration with international partners. We are thrilled to bring a global rock star, Floor Jansen of Nightwish, to our business event this year as well. She will share stories from her own career and Nightwish’s journey,” says the event’s CEO, Erica Roiko.

In addition to international speakers, the Finnish Stock Exchange will be ceremoniously opened at 10:00 AM on Friday during the event.

“One of the highlights of our event will be the grand opening of the Finnish Stock Exchange. We’re keeping it a secret for now which of our esteemed guests will have the honor of opening it. The event will also feature a range of entertaining side activities such as the Escaperoom Lapland edition, a Sip & Paint workshop, a Treehugging contest, and much more. We aim to create a comprehensive, inspiring, and enjoyable event with something for everyone.” The event will raise funds for charity in collaboration with UN

Women, with the aim of improving Afghan women’s opportunities to participate in business from home.

Kipinä Event will take place at Hullu Poro Arena on 14.-15.11.2024, during the same week as the Levi World Cup. The partner companies’ workshop day is on Thursday 14.11, and the main business event will be held on Friday 15.11.

Men and Women Open the Slalom Season in Levi – World Cup Levi Celebrates 20 Years

The experiential World Cup Levi event will shine even brighter during its’ anniversary year, promising enchanting Lapland magic and a grand sports celebration over three days. The 20th anniversary represents the long and successful history of World Cup Levi, which has made it one of the most prestigious alpine skiing events in the world. The stars of this unique race weekend will dazzle on the slopes under guaranteed snow conditions and new LED lighting. In addition to the world’s best female slalom skiers, the men will also return to the Levi Black slope.

Friday, 15.11: Levi Lapland Kids Race 2024 | Opening Ceremony & Women’s Start Number Draw

Saturday, 16.11: Women’s Slalom | Men’s Start Number Draw

Sunday, 17.11: Men’s Slalom

New FIS Wild Card Rule Guarantees Marcel Hirscher a Spot in the World Cup

Marcel Hirscher’s return to the Alpine Skiing World Cup has been made possible by a new Wild Card rule introduced by the International Ski Federation (FIS). The rule, implemented in July this year, facilitates the return of former top skiers to World Cup competition.

Without the FIS rule change, Hirscher, who retired five years ago, would have had to significantly improve his FIS ranking to secure a spot in World Cup races this season. However, the rule allows skiers with significant past achievements, like Hirscher, to participate without needing to be among the top 150 on the FIS points list. The wild card guarantees Hirscher start number 31 for one season. Preparing for his World Cup comeback, the Dutch representative is training in New Zealand. The multiple championship medalist has not yet revealed which World Cup race he will start his season in, but he will not compete in the World Cup opener in Sölden.

“The Sölden World Cup opener is very far away, and it doesn’t play any role in my considerations at the moment,” Hirscher said in his press release.

Another slalom skier making his return to the World Cup, Lucas Braathen, now representing Brazil, is well-placed in terms of start numbers, despite not competing in the World Cup last season.

“The change in nationality did not affect Braathen’s start number because the Norwegian Ski Federation allowed him to change nationality without losing points. However, he did receive a small penalty for not competing, which caused his start number to drop slightly. Nevertheless, he’s in a good position to make his World Cup comeback. The new wild

card rule change was a bit of a surprise, but it’s great that we’ll most likely have Hirscher back for the upcoming World Cup season. It would have been a tough road without the wild card,” sums up Ski Sport Finland CEO Janne Leskinen.

The women will return to the familiar and favoured Levi Black slope. Will Mikaela Shiffrin of the United States claim her seventh victory reindeer, or will Slovakia’s Petra Vlhova add to her herd?

The competitions will be commentated by alpine legend Tanja Poutiainen and ski cross racer Jouni Pellinen.

A Celebration of Sports in Levi

Before the world’s best alpine skiers hit the slopes, the atmosphere will be set by Levi Lapland Kids Race 2024, spectacular opening ceremonies, and the Public Draw events for start numbers. The opening ceremonies and start number draws will be hosted by international sports journalist Mervi Kallio.

Side events will keep the racing spirit alive off the slopes. The front slopes will offer an opportunity for the first turns of the season, and the après-ski will be unforgettable. Top Finnish artists will entertain late into the night. The Hullu Poro Arena will host, among others, Blind Channel, who gained international fame from Eurovision, during the race weekend.