Cross Country Skiing
Sweden’s star Ebba Andersson angry about more sprint races – says cross-country is heading the wrong way
November 25, 2025 / Yle
Ebba Andersson criticizes the rise in sprint events on the FIS Cross-Country World Cup calendar, arguing it undermines the sport’s historical core of longer-distance racing. The season opens in Ruka with a classic sprint, and there will be 13 sprints this winter, up from 11 last year. Sprinter Marcus Grate counters that more sprints are entertaining and could even be increased further.
Decision on Russian cross-country skiers’ Olympic eligibility due in December
November 24, 2025 / Yle
The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) will rule by December 10 on whether Russian and Belarusian skiers may compete at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics and in FIS events as neutral athletes. Russia’s ski federation (RSF), joined by the Russian Paralympic Committee and six named skiers and six para skiers, has appealed FIS’s October ban that excludes them from this season’s World Cup and therefore Olympic qualification. The World Cup opens in Ruka and continues in Trondheim before CAS’s decision, while Olympic cross-country events are scheduled to start in Val di Fiemme on February 7.
Frida Karlsson on Tenerife training camp: “Many think I’m just lying on the beach”
November 24, 2025 / SVT Sport
Frida Karlsson explains that her solo pre-season camp on Tenerife was high-altitude, high-load training rather than a vacation. She says the month there is likely her toughest training block, as she chose to prepare away from the national team ahead of the World Cup opener in Ruka next Friday. The article also plugs SVT’s documentary series “Utan filter – längdlandslaget mot OS,” premiering November 27.
Cross-country: Alvar Myhlback’s team boss after selection: “Pretty much expected”
November 24, 2025 / SVT Sport
After a standout Swedish season opener in Gällivare, 19-year-old Alvar Myhlback has been selected for the World Cup opener in Ruka. Team Lager 157 manager Anton Järnberg says the call-up was expected given Myhlback’s level, but stresses the athlete’s primary focus remains Ski Classics long-distance racing and not an Olympic push.
Ville Nousiainen’s tough call on a Finn’s Olympic prospects: “It looks like Karppanen is out of the game”
November 24, 2025 / Yle
Ahead of the World Cup opener in Ruka, Yle expert Ville Nousiainen highlights Finland’s growing strength in classic sprints, led by Jasmi Joensuu, with Amanda Saari, Jasmin Kähärä, Hilla Niemelä and Johanna Matintalo forming a promising chasing group. On the men’s side, Niilo Moilanen impressed by winning the Finnish Cup sprint and could challenge internationally, while concerns remain over Perttu Hyvärinen’s form and Kerttu and Iivo Niskanen’s readiness. Nousiainen believes Miro Karppanen has likely fallen out of Olympic contention based on early‑season results.
Cross-country: Linn Svahn to miss World Cup opener in Ruka
November 24, 2025 / SVT Sport
Swedish sprint star Linn Svahn will not start the World Cup season opener in Ruka after recently catching a cold, delaying her comeback following a concussion last spring. SVT expert Anders Blomquist called the absence “so sad” and noted the Olympic-season pressure, saying Svahn needs results to earn a spot in Sweden’s competitive women’s sprint team. Her next likely chance to return is the Trondheim World Cup on 5–7 December.
Cross-country: Questioned by Poromaa, Norway’s Hedegart now selected for Ruka World Cup
November 24, 2025 / SVT Sport
Norway’s Einar Hedegart, who stunned by winning the Norwegian season opener in Beitostølen, has been named to the World Cup opener in Ruka for the 20 km freestyle. Hedegart, who splits his focus between cross‑country and biathlon, had previously been questioned by Sweden’s William Poromaa after a Holmenkollen podium last season. Norwegian coaches say he would need World Cup wins to make the 2026 Olympic team; he will race only the 20 km free in Ruka.
Sweden names team for the Cross-Country World Cup opener in Ruka
November 24, 2025 / Sveriges Radio - Radiosporten
Sweden has selected its squad for this weekend’s FIS Cross-Country World Cup opener in Ruka. Teenage talent Alvar Myhlback is called up after strong domestic form, while William Poromaa (illness), Calle Halfvarsson and Jens Burman miss out. On the women’s side, all major stars are included except Linn Svahn, who is sidelined by health issues.
Sweden hit by big absences, Norway names surprise picks for Ruka World Cup
November 24, 2025 / Yle
Sweden and Norway have announced their cross‑country ski teams for next weekend’s World Cup opener in Ruka. Sweden will be without stars including Linn Svahn, William Poromaa, Calle Halfvarsson, Marcus Grate and Jens Burman, while 19‑year‑old Alvar Myhlbäck earns a start after impressing in Gällivare despite a sprint disqualification. Norway adds Beitostølen trial surprises Julie Bjervig Drivenes and Einar Hedegart—who beat Johannes Høsflot Klæbo last season in Oslo—along with sprint pick Aron Åkre Rysstad.
Cross-country: Coach Chris Jespersen explains why Astrid Øyre Slind aggravated her injury
November 24, 2025 / NRK Sport
Coach Chris Jespersen says Astrid Øyre Slind re-aggravated her Achilles because she extended a treadmill session when he was on the phone and didn’t switch to the planned double-poling machine. The setback forced Slind to skip Norway’s season opener at Beitostølen and puts her participation in the upcoming World Cup in Ruka in doubt, especially for the classic race. The team will reassess in the coming days, with Trondheim’s World Cup in two weeks and the 2026 Olympics in Val di Fiemme as major targets.
Biathlon vs cross-country: admissions and irritation
November 24, 2025 / NRK
NRK analyzes how biathletes without rifles have shaken Norway’s cross‑country hierarchy after Einar Hedegart, a reigning Norwegian biathlon mass‑start champion, dominated the 10 km freestyle at Beitostølen. The piece contrasts long‑running skepticism in cross‑country circles with examples from Ole Einar Bjørndalen, Lars Berger and Ronny Hafsås, and ponders whether Johannes Thingnes Bø could also have been the best skier of the past 15 years. With weak foreign competition and Russians absent, the article frames biathletes as a “Trojan horse” bringing new tension to men’s cross‑country ahead of World Cup races like Ruka and the 2026 Olympics.
Questions over Johannes Høsflot Klæbo’s life changes answered by dominant form
November 23, 2025 / Yle
Ahead of the World Cup opener in Ruka, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo silenced speculation about waning hunger by crushing the field in Beitostølen FIS races, winning the sprint and 10 km classic. Norway’s Julie Bjervig Drivenes produced a shock victory in the women’s 10 km freestyle there, likely earning her a first-ever World Cup start in Ruka, while Sweden’s Frida Karlsson and veterans Calle Halfvarsson and Jens Burman struggled at the Jällivare FIS races. Klæbo says lifestyle adjustments have improved his life quality without reducing commitment, and rivals acknowledge his exceptional ability to adapt.