# Virpi Sarasvuo

Virpi Katriina Sarasvuo (née Kuitunen, born 20 May 1976) is a Finnish former cross-country skier who competed from 1995 to 2010. She won a bronze medal in the team sprint event (with Aino-Kaisa Saarinen) at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin and earned her best individual finish of fifth in the individual sprint event in those same games. Four years later in Vancouver, Kuitunen won another bronze, this time in the 4 × 5 km relay.
Kuitunen has eight medals at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships with six golds (2001: 5 km + 5 km combined pursuit, 2007: Team sprint, with Riitta-Liisa Roponen, 30 km, & 4 × 5 km; 2009: Team sprint, 4 × 5 km), one silver (2005: 30 km), one bronze (2007: Individual sprint). She also has thirty-four additional individual victories at various levels of various distances since 2000.
Kuitunen won the first ever Tour de Ski competition for women in 2006–07, winning over Norway's Marit Bjørgen by 1:17.5. She also won the overall 2006–07 Cross-Country Skiing World Cup, as well as the sprint World Cup the same season. In the season 2007–08 Kuitunen won the overall again.
Because of Kuitunen's successes in cross-country skiing in 2007, she was awarded Finnish Sportswoman of the Year. Kuitunen also won the Tour de Ski in 2008–09.
Virpi Kuitunen married Jari Sarasvuo on 16 July 2010.

## Doping controversy

At the 2001 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Lahti, Kuitunen was disqualified when she tested positive for hydroxyethyl starch, a banned blood plasma expander. She was forced to relinquish her silver medal earned in the 4 × 5 km and served a two-year suspension until the 2003 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships.

## Cross-country skiing results

All results are sourced from the International Ski Federation (FIS).

### Olympic Games

* 2 medals – (2 bronze)
| Year | Age | 10 km  individual | 15 km  skiathlon | 30 km  mass start | Sprint | 4 × 5 km  relay | Team  sprint |
| 2006 | 29 | 9 | — | DNF | 5 | 7 | Bronze |
| 2010 | 33 | — | — | 13 | 9 | Bronze | — |

### World Championships

* 8 medals – (6 gold, 1 silver, 1 bronze)
| Year | Age | 5 km | 10 km | 15 km | Pursuit | 30 km | Sprint | 4 × 5 km  relay | Team  sprint |
| 1999 | 22 | 35 | — | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 2001 | 24 | — | — | — | Gold | CNX | — | DSQ | — |
| 2003 | 26 | — | — | — | 16 | — | — | — | — |
| 2005 | 28 | — | 4 | — | — | Silver | 5 | 5 | — |
| 2007 | 30 | — | — | — | DNF | Gold | Bronze | Gold | Gold |
| 2009 | 32 | — | 4 | — | 13 | DNF | — | Gold | Gold |
    a. $^1$ Cancelled due to extremely cold weather.

### World Cup
#### Season titles

* 5 titles – (2 overall, 2 distance, 1 sprint)
| Season |
| Season | Discipline |
| 2007 | Overall |
| 2007 | Distance |
| 2007 | Sprint |
| 2008 | Overall |
| 2008 | Distance |

#### Season standings

| Season | Age | Discipline standings | Discipline standings | Discipline standings | Discipline standings | Discipline standings | Ski Tour standings | Ski Tour standings |
| Season | Age | Overall | Distance | Long Distance | Middle Distance | Sprint | Tour de Ski | World Cup Final |
| 1995 | 18 | NC | — | — | — | — | — | — |
| 1997 | 20 | NC | — | NC | — | — | — | — |
| 1998 | 21 | NC | — | NC | — | — | — | — |
| 1999 | 22 | 81 | — | NC | — | 79 | — | — |
| 2000 | 23 | 34 | — | 33 | 28 | 35 | — | — |
| 2001 | 24 | 18 | — | — | — | NC | — | — |
| 2003 | 26 | 23 | — | — | — | 20 | — | — |
| 2004 | 27 | 6 | 7 | — | — | 4 | — | — |
| 2005 | 28 | 3 | 8 | — | — | 2 | — | — |
| 2006 | 29 | 6 | 7 | — | — | 10 | — | — |
| 2007 | 30 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 1 | 1 | — |
| 2008 | 31 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2009 | 32 | 5 | 6 | — | — | 11 | 1 | DNF |
| 2010 | 33 | 22 | 21 | — | — | 20 | DNF | 28 |

#### Individual podiums

* 27 victories – (21 WC, 6 SWC)
* 52 podiums – (44 WC, 8 SWC)
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Race | Level | Place |
| 1 | 2000–01 | 17 December 2000 | Brusson, Italy | 1.5 km Sprint F | World Cup | 3rd |
| 2 | 2000–01 | 10 February 2001 | Otepää, Estonia | 5 km C Individual | World Cup | 2nd |
| 3 | 2002–03 | 11 March 2003 | Drammen, Norway | 1.5 km Sprint C | World Cup | 3rd |
| 4 | 2003–04 | 13 December 2003 | Davos, Switzerland | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 2nd |
| 5 | 2003–04 | 18 January 2004 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 1.2 km Sprint F | World Cup | 2nd |
| 6 | 2003–04 | 26 February 2004 | Drammen, Norway | 1.5 km Sprint C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 7 | 2003–04 | 7 March 2004 | Lahti, Finland | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 1st |
| 8 | 2004–05 | 20 November 2004 | Gällivare, Sweden | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 3rd |
| 9 | 2004–05 | 14 December 2004 | Asiago, Italy | 1.2 km Sprint C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 10 | 2004–05 | 13 February 2005 | Reit im Winkl, Germany | 1.2 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 11 | 2004–05 | 5 March 2005 | Lahti, Finland | 1.2 km Sprint C | World Cup | 3rd |
| 12 | 2004–05 | 9 March 2005 | Drammen, Norway | 1.2 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 13 | 2004–05 | 12 March 2005 | Oslo, Norway | 30 km C Individual | World Cup | 3rd |
| 14 | 2004–05 | 16 March 2005 | Gothenburg, Sweden | 1.1 km Sprint F | World Cup | 3rd |
| 15 | 2005–06 | 19 November 2005 | Beitostølen, Norway | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 2nd |
| 16 | 2005–06 | 26 November 2005 | Rukatunturi, Finland | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 2nd |
| 17 | 2005–06 | 4 February 2006 | Davos, Switzerland | 1.0 km Sprint F | World Cup | 2nd |
| 18 | 2005–06 | 5 February 2006 | Davos, Switzerland | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 1st |
| 19 | 2006–07 | 25 November 2006 | Rukatunturi, Finland | 1.2 km Sprint C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 20 | 2006–07 | 26 November 2006 | Rukatunturi, Finland | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 1st |
| 21 | 2006–07 | 13 December 2006 | Cogne, Italy | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 1st |
| 22 | 2006–07 | 16 December 2006 | La Clusaz, France | 15 km F Mass Start | World Cup | 1st |
| 23 | 2006–07 | 3 January 2007 | Oberstdorf, Germany | 10 km C Individual | Stage World Cup | 3rd |
| 24 | 2006–07 | 5 January 2007 | Asiago, Italy | 1.2 km Sprint F | Stage World Cup | 1st |
| 25 | 2006–07 | 6 January 2007 | Cavalese, Italy | 15 km C Mass Start | Stage World Cup | 1st |
| 26 | 2006–07 | 29 December 2006 – 7 January 2007 | Tour de Ski | Overall Standings | World Cup | 1st |
| 27 | 2006–07 | 27 January 2007 | Otepää, Estonia | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 2nd |
| 28 | 2006–07 | 28 January 2007 | Otepää, Estonia | 1.0 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 29 | 2006–07 | 3 February 2007 | Davos, Switzerland | 10 km F Individual | World Cup | 1st |
| 30 | 2006–07 | 10 March 2007 | Lahti, Finland | 1.2 km Sprint F | World Cup | 1st |
| 31 | 2006–07 | 14 March 2007 | Drammen, Norway | 1.2 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 32 | 2006–07 | 17 March 2007 | Oslo, Norway | 30 km C Individual | World Cup | 2nd |
| 33 | 2006–07 | 21 March 2007 | Stockholm, Sweden | 1.1 km Sprint C | World Cup | 2nd |
| 34 | 2007–08 | 8 December 2007 | Davos, Switzerland | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 1st |
| 35 | 2007–08 | 28 December 2007 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 3.3 km C Individual | Stage World Cup | 1st |
| 36 | 2007–08 | 2 January 2008 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 10 km C Individual | Stage World Cup | 2nd |
| 37 | 2007–08 | 5 January 2008 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 10 km C Mass Start | Stage World Cup | 1st |
| 38 | 2007–08 | 28 December 2007 – 6 January 2008 | Tour de Ski | Overall Standings | World Cup | 2nd |
| 39 | 2007–08 | 9 February 2008 | Otepää, Estonia | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 1st |
| 40 | 2007–08 | 10 February 2008 | Otepää, Estonia | 1.2 km Sprint C | World Cup | 3rd |
| 41 | 2007–08 | 27 February 2008 | Stockholm, Sweden | 1.1 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 42 | 2007–08 | 2 March 2008 | Lahti, Finland | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 1st |
| 43 | 2007–08 | 5 March 2008 | Drammen, Norway | 1.2 km Sprint C | World Cup | 1st |
| 44 | 2007–08 | 16 March 2008 | Bormio, Italy | 10 km F Pursuit | World Cup | 1st |
| 45 | 2008–09 | 30 November 2008 | Rukatunturi, Finland | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 2nd |
| 46 | 2008–09 | 13 December 2008 | Davos, Switzerland | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 1st |
| 47 | 2008–09 | 28 December 2008 | Oberhof, Germany | 10 km C Pursuit | Stage World Cup | 1st |
| 48 | 2008–09 | 31 December 2008 | Nové Město, Czech Republic | 9 km C Individual | Stage World Cup | 1st |
| 49 | 2008–09 | 3 January 2009 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 10 km C Mass Start | Stage World Cup | 1st |
| 50 | 2008–09 | 27 December 2008 – 4 January 2009 | Tour de Ski | Overall Standings | World Cup | 1st |
| 51 | 2008–09 | 24 January 2009 | Otepää, Estonia | 10 km C Individual | World Cup | 3rd |
| 52 | 2008–09 | 25 January 2009 | Otepää, Estonia | 1.2 km Sprint C | World Cup | 3rd |

#### Team podiums

* 4 victories – (4 RL)
* 16 podiums – (13 RL, 3 TS)
| No. | Season | Date | Location | Race | Level | Place | Teammate(s) |
| 1 | 2000–01 | 25 November 2000 | Beitostølen, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Manninen / Jauho / Varis |
| 2 | 2000–01 | 16 December 2000 | Santa Caterina, Italy | 4 × 3 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 3rd | Manninen / Salonen / Jauho |
| 3 | 2003–04 | 11 January 2004 | Otepää, Estonia | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 3rd | Välimaa / Saarinen / Sarasoja-Lilja |
| 4 | 2004–05 | 21 November 2004 | Gällivare, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Välimaa / Saarinen / Roponen |
| 5 | 2004–05 | 15 December 2004 | Asiago, Italy | 6 × 1.2 km Team Sprint C | World Cup | 2nd | Saarinen |
| 6 | 2004–05 | 20 March 2005 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Saarinen / Välimaa / Roponen |
| 7 | 2005–06 | 20 November 2005 | Beitostølen, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 3rd | Saarinen / Välimaa / Roponen |
| 8 | 2005–06 | 15 January 2006 | Val di Fiemme, Italy | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Saarinen / Roponen / Varis |
| 9 | 2006–07 | 29 October 2006 | Düsseldorf, Germany | 6 × 0.8 km Team Sprint F | World Cup | 3rd | Saarinen |
| 10 | 2006–07 | 19 November 2006 | Gällivare, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 3rd | Välimaa / Roponen / Saarinen |
| 11 | 2006–07 | 27 March 2007 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Manninen / Roponen / Saarinen |
| 12 | 2007–08 | 28 October 2007 | Düsseldorf, Germany | 6 × 0.8 km Team Sprint F | World Cup | 3rd | Muranen |
| 13 | 2007–08 | 24 February 2008 | Falun, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Saarinen / Roponen / Sarasoja-Lilja |
| 14 | 2008–09 | 23 November 2008 | Gällivare, Sweden | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 2nd | Muranen / Saarinen / Roponen |
| 15 | 2008–09 | 7 December 2008 | La Clusaz, France | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 1st | Muranen / Roponen / Saarinen |
| 16 | 2009–10 | 22 November 2009 | Beitostølen, Norway | 4 × 5 km Relay C/F | World Cup | 3rd | Muranen / Roponen / Saarinen |

#### Overall record

| Result | Distance Races | Distance Races | Distance Races | Distance Races | Distance Races | Distance Races | Sprint | Ski tours | Individual events | Team Events | Team Events | All events |
| Result | ≤ 5 km | ≤ 10 km | ≤ 15 km | ≤ 30 km | ≥ 30 km | Pursuit | Sprint | Ski tours | Individual events | Team sprint | Relay | All events |
| 1st place | 1 | 12 | 2 | – | – | 2 | 8 | 2 | 27 | – | 2 | 29 |
| 2nd place | 1 | 6 | – | 1 | – | – | 6 | 1 | 15 | – | 4 | 19 |
| 3rd place | – | 3 | – | 1 | – | – | 6 | – | 10 | 2 | 4 | 16 |
| Podiums | 2 | 21 | 2 | 2 | – | 2 | 20 | 3 | 52 | 2 | 10 | 64 |
| Top 10 | 5 | 29 | 8 | 4 | – | 11 | 39 | 3 | 99 | 5 | 16 | 120 |
| Points | 10 | 55 | 13 | 6 | – | 22 | 58 | 4 | 168 | 6 | 16 | 190 |
| Others | 3 | 1 | 3 | – | – | 2 | 1 | 1 | 11 | – | – | 11 |
| Starts | 13 | 56 | 16 | 6 | – | 24 | 59 | 5 | 179 | 6 | 16 | 201 |
    a. $^1$ Classification is made according to FIS classification.
    b. $^1$ $^2$ $^3$ $^4$ $^5$ Includes individual and mass start races.
    c. $^1$ Includes handicap start, pursuit and double pursuit races.
    d. $^1$ Incomplete due to lack of appropriate sources prior to 2001.
    e. $^1$ $^2$ Did not finish the race (DNF).
    f. $^1$ Withdrawn from 2009–10 Tour de Ski.
Note: Until 1999 World Championships, World Championship races are part of the World Cup. Hence results from 1999 World Championships races are included in the World Cup overall record.