Cross Country Skiing
Klaebo cruises Ruka sprint to make it 99 World Cup victories
November 29, 2025 / FIS
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo dominated the men’s classic sprint in Ruka to claim his 99th career World Cup win, opening the 2025/26 season with another sprint triumph. Erik Valnes finished second and Ansgar Evensen edged Jules Chappaz for third in a photo finish. Klæbo, who also praised his skis and form, targets win number 100 in Sunday’s 20 km mass start freestyle in Ruka.
Swedish sprint prospect sets lofty goal before Ruka opener: “Olympic gold”
November 29, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Ahead of the first World Cup sprint of the season in Ruka, Sweden’s Anton Grahn says he is aiming for a result that could secure an early Olympic selection and keep his dream of Olympic gold alive. Grahn comes in buoyed by a strong domestic opener in Gällivare, where he outsprinted teammate Edvin Anger. The piece frames high expectations around the sprint premiere and Grahn’s ambitions for Milan–Cortina 2026.
Iivo Niskanen dejected after Ruka 10 km classic: “Nothing went right” — ex‑coach explains why there’s no need to worry
November 28, 2025 / Yle
Norway’s Martin Löwström Nyenget won the men’s 10 km classic in the Ruka World Cup opener, edging Johannes Høsflot Klæbo by 2.1 seconds, with Austria’s Mika Vermeulen third. Finland’s Iivo Niskanen finished fifth, 12 seconds back, and lamented he couldn’t ski relaxed in difficult conditions, though he said his skis were basically fine. Former coach Olli Ohtonen and Yle expert Ville Nousiainen urged calm, calling the waxing and weather extremely challenging and noting that Niskanen and Arsi Ruuskanen (15th) delivered acceptable performances.
Jasmi Joensuu’s secret wish falls just short as Sweden dominates Ruka women’s 10 km classic
November 28, 2025 / Yle
Sweden’s Frida Karlsson won the Ruka World Cup season‑opening 10 km classic by over 10 seconds ahead of Norway’s Heidi Weng, with Swedes Moa Ilar and Ebba Andersson in third and fourth. Finland’s Krista Pärmäkoski was best home skier in ninth and Jasmi Joensuu placed 10th, narrowly missing her goal of a top‑six. Kerttu Niskanen struggled to 19th, saying her early‑season form isn’t yet sharp, while expert Ville Nousiainen called the Finns’ openings solid overall.
Frida Karlsson wins World Cup opener in Ruka: “Fun to feel everything clicks”
November 28, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Sweden’s Frida Karlsson won the women’s 10 km classic in the World Cup season opener in Ruka, Finland. She held off Norway’s Heidi Weng, with Sweden’s Moa Ilar taking third for her fourth career podium. Karlsson told Radiosporten she was happy to feel her form and execution come together on day one.
Cross-country skier Hennig Dotzler shows resilience under pressure
November 28, 2025 / Sportschau
At the World Cup opener in Ruka, Katharina Hennig Dotzler led the German women with 12th place over 10 km, joined by Pia Fink and Katherine Sauerbrey in 13th and 14th. The trio already met half of Germany’s Olympic selection standard despite recent turmoil after Victoria Carl’s positive test and suspension, which will keep her out of the Games. Hennig Dotzler, coming off a month-long illness layoff, aims to complete qualification in December–January as Germany targets the 20 km race next.
Moa Ilar credits Frida Karlsson for podium: “We said before the race we’d help each other”
November 28, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Sweden’s Moa Ilar finished third in the 10 km classic at the World Cup opener in Ruka, earning the fourth podium of her career. She thanked winner Frida Karlsson for pacing help and also acknowledged teammate Linn Svahn, saying they agreed beforehand to work together. Karlsson won the race, with Norway’s Heidi Weng second.
Martin Nyenget beats Johannes Klæbo in Ruka 10 km classic; Hugo Lapalus 10th
November 28, 2025 / L'Équipe
Norway’s Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget won the men’s 10 km classic in Ruka, edging compatriot Johannes Høsflot Klæbo by 2.1 seconds in the opening World Cup distance race of the Olympic season. Austria’s Mika Vermeulen finished third at 4.2 seconds to stop a Norwegian sweep, while France’s Hugo Lapalus led the French with 10th, and youngster Mathis Desloges placed 17th. Norway placed six athletes in the top eight, underscoring its early-season dominance.
Myhlback sets World Cup personal best in Ruka opener: “Happy to sit in the leader’s chair”
November 28, 2025 / Sveriges Radio – Radiosporten
Swedish 19-year-old Alvar Myhlback achieved his best-ever World Cup result with 16th place in the 10 km classic at the season opener in Ruka, Finland, finishing about 30 seconds from the podium. Edvin Anger led the Swedes in 9th, while Norway’s Martin Løwström Nyenget won ahead of Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, with Austria’s surprise Mika Vermeulen third. The result follows Myhlback’s breakthrough last winter as the youngest-ever Vasaloppet winner.
Mogren: “Weng is the only Norwegian threat to Sweden”
November 28, 2025 / Sveriges Radio – Radiosporten
After Sweden finished 1st, 3rd and 4th at the cross‑country World Cup opener in Ruka, Radiosporten expert Torgny Mogren says only Heidi Weng looks capable of challenging the Swedish women this Olympic winter. He believes Weng has returned to form and is “significantly better this year,” while Sweden appears dominant among the women. The commentary frames the early-season balance of power ahead of the 2026 Olympic season.
Lucky 13th World Cup victory for Sweden's Karlsson in Ruka
November 28, 2025 / FIS
Frida Karlsson won the women’s 10 km interval start classic at the Ruka season opener, taking her 13th career World Cup victory and fourth in Ruka. She finished 10.5 seconds ahead of Norway’s Heidi Weng, with Sweden’s Moa Ilar third; Ebba Andersson was fourth and Jessie Diggins fifth. The article also notes retirement plans for Diggins and Finland’s Krista Pärmäkoski, challenging waxing conditions on the fast course, and athlete reactions.
Nyenget conquers Klæbo to start season with a bang
November 28, 2025 / FIS (International Ski Federation)
Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget won the men’s 10 km interval start classic at the 2025/26 FIS Cross-Country World Cup opener in Ruka, Finland, edging Johannes Høsflot Klæbo after leading from the halfway point. Austria’s Mika Vermeulen claimed third, celebrating his third career podium. Klæbo, coming off a record 2024/25 season, said conditions made grip difficult but called it a solid start to the new campaign.