Saapunki achieved a top 10 placement in the Scandinavian Cup for the first time in December 2011 in Vuokatti with fifth place over 10 km freestyle. In February 2014 she finished ninth in the same discipline in Meråker and made her debut in the cross-country skiing world cup in March 2014 in the 10 km freestyle , which she finished in 60th place. At her next World Cup competition in November 2014 in Ruka , Saapunki took 54th place in the sprint and 59th place over 10 km classic. In December 2014 she achieved her first podium in the Scandinavian Cup with third place over 10 km freestyle in Lillehammer ; In addition, she reached ninth place in the 20 km mass start race in the classic technique. At the Tour de Ski 2016 , which she finished in 36th place, she got her first World Cup points with 27th place in the mountain pursuit in Val di Fiemme .