X Games Ruka — I started the conversation. Then built the project.
In February 2025, I approached X Games with the idea of bringing the event to Ruka, Finland. I drove the early development largely on my own, investing time, sustained effort and personal relationships before there was any certainty that the event would happen.
As the project advanced, I hired a local colleague to build the preparation further. Commercial contributors joined along the way, and a broader delivery team came together in summer 2026. I remained central to connecting the people, decisions and workstreams needed to move the project forward.
Over 18 months, I developed the host proposal, advanced public funding preparation, worked through host agreement negotiations, built budgets and led work across sport, venue, broadcast and pre-production planning. I brought specialist expertise into the project and built direct working relationships between X Games and Finnish stakeholders.
The work progressed from my initial approach to a signed host agreement and the public launch of X Games Ruka 2027, in collaboration with X Games, Rukakeskus, the City of Kuusamo, Ruka-Kuusamo Tourism and the specialists involved.
My role began before there was an established project team. I took the initiative and led the preparation that turned an opportunity into a signed host agreement.
Safety and emergency preparedness
I also developed the safety and emergency preparedness framework for X Games Ruka 2027, structuring preparation into 22 workstreams. The framework covers responsibilities, risk management, emergency response, medical and rescue arrangements, evacuation, communications and readiness exercises.
I prepared the initial risk register with 17 scenarios, the permit register, a proposed incident command model and sport-specific emergency action plan templates. These documents establish a basis for review and completion with the responsible specialists and authorities. Final appointments, operational details and approvals remain part of the delivery team's work.
