The concept of sisu – used to refer to guts or inner strength – is often talked about as the source of Finnish happiness.

And Guts, a hit Finnish TV series about top female cross-country skiers, makes it clear from the beginning that any happiness in this psychodrama is going to be exceptionally hard-won.

Featuring vomiting on ice, hallucinations, bullying male coaches and female rivalry, Guts combines the ferocity of competitive sport with cosy homes and pretty snow scenes.

Hot on the heels of Heated Rivalry, the Canadian ice hockey romance, it is part of a new wave of shows featuring winter sports.…