Cross Country Skiing
William Poromaa worried ahead of World Cup opener: “It doesn’t look bright”
November 22, 2025 / Sveriges Radio – Radiosporten
After finishing 19th in the Swedish season opener in Gällivare, William Poromaa says his body feels off and he is concerned about next weekend’s World Cup start in Ruka, Finland. He was 1 minute 20 seconds behind winner Edvin Anger and admitted to Radiosporten that his current form “looks very bad.” The piece highlights his struggle and the proximity of the international World Cup kickoff.
Iivo Niskanen pushes back on sensational headlines and reveals major race plan: Tour de Ski in Olympic year
November 21, 2025 / Yle
Finnish star Iivo Niskanen says his decision to take formal responsibility for his own coaching isn’t the dramatic shake-up it’s been portrayed as, noting he and longtime coach Olli Ohtonen have largely worked remotely for years. Coming off a thumb fracture in May and illness that derailed his 2025 Worlds bid, Niskanen plans to race more this season and confirms he will contest the Tour de Ski despite the upcoming Olympics in Val di Fiemme, targeting skiathlon, the 50 km classic mass start, the relay and improved skating form.
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Klaebo backs Emil Iversen before season start: “I’m as nervous on his behalf as he is”
November 21, 2025 / Eurosport Norge
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo says Emil Iversen looks strong but must deliver immediately at the Beitostølen season opener to enter Norway’s Olympic selection for Milano–Cortina 2026. Out of the national team this Olympic season, Iversen targets the 10 km classic and 10 km free after skipping Friday’s sprint, with World Cup starts in Ruka and a Tour de Ski berth likely hinging on his results. Head coach Eirik Myhr Nossum underlines the brutal selection reality: to be considered for the Olympics, non-team athletes must ski faster than most from the very first races.
Eirik Mysen unveils ‘revolutionary’ ski poles — secret grip could extend pole push and spark a rule debate
November 20, 2025 / NRK
Norwegian skier Eirik Mysen has developed a new pole handle with his sponsor that effectively lengthens the pole push by about five centimeters when he releases the grip, a tweak he says could save up to 15 seconds over 10 km. FIS technical officials are uncertain whether the elastic-assisted mechanism is legal under current equipment rules limiting pole length, while Mysen and his coach argue it complies and could be a game-changer. The innovation was inspected and photographed at Beitostølen on the eve of Norway’s season opener, where Mysen hopes it will help him fight for Olympic qualification.
Injury concerns for Norway’s cross-country stars on the eve of the season
November 20, 2025 / Yle
Norway’s ski federation says Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget and Astrid Øyre Slind are doubtful for this weekend’s national season-opener in Beitostølen due to injuries. Nyenget was hurt in training last weekend, while Slind has suffered a setback in her recovery from a summer Achilles tendon injury. The Cross-Country World Cup begins at the end of November in Ruka, Finland.
Frida Karlsson open to racing Olympic sprint: “I’m keen”
November 20, 2025 / SVT Sport
Frida Karlsson says she is considering competing in the sprint at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympics despite sprint not being her main focus. Speaking ahead of Sweden’s season opener in Gällivare, the 25-year-old will test herself in this weekend’s sprint and believes performance should speak for selection. Last season she only raced one sprint, at the World Cup opener in Ruka.
Cross-country: Astrid Øyre Slind’s Olympic dream — to prove the expert’s harsh verdict wrong
November 20, 2025 / NRK
Astrid Øyre Slind is targeting Olympic gold in Val di Fiemme, with a particular desire to win the women’s 10 km freestyle — an event some TV experts have doubted she can master. Ahead of the Beitostølen season opener, she reveals her Achilles has flared up again, putting the classic race at risk, but says skating feels fine. NRK expert Torgeir Bjørn acknowledges her progress in skating and even cheers her on to win, though he maintains she has historically been strongest in classic.
Cross-country star Jessie Diggins announces she will retire after this season
November 20, 2025 / Sportschau
U.S. cross‑country ski great Jessie Diggins, 34, revealed in an emotional Instagram post that she will end her career at the conclusion of the upcoming season. The Olympic champion, two-time world champion and three-time overall World Cup winner says she will give everything through her final race, with the season highlighted by the 2026 Milan–Cortina Winter Olympics.
Cross-country: Klæbo on Halfvarsson’s Olympic bid: “I hope he succeeds”
November 20, 2025 / SVT Sport
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo reacts to Calle Halfvarsson’s solo bid for the Milan–Cortina 2026 Olympics, where the Swede aims to beat Klæbo for sprint gold. Klæbo praises the challenge but warns the Val di Fiemme sprint course could be the toughest of his career, noting many factors can influence the race. He also downplays expectations of repeating his six-gold haul from the Trondheim World Championships.
Ski legend Magne Myrmo dies: The last world champion on wooden skis
November 20, 2025 / SPORT1
Norwegian cross-country great Magne Myrmo has died at age 82, his family confirmed to NRK. Myrmo famously won the 15 km at the 1974 World Championships in Falun on wooden skis, becoming the last world champion to do so, and also claimed Olympic silver over 50 km at Sapporo 1972. The article recalls his duel with East German icon Gerhard Grimmer and notes Myrmo had lived with Alzheimer’s since 2014.
Olympic champion Jessie Diggins announces retirement at season’s end
November 20, 2025 / krone.at
U.S. cross-country star Jessie Diggins, 2018 Olympic team sprint champion, announced on Instagram that she will retire after the current season. The 34-year-old reflected emotionally on leaving the sport and her team, while noting she still plans to enjoy "a fun year" with more highlights to come. Diggins also owns multiple Olympic and World Championship medals and overall World Cup titles in 2021, 2024 and 2025.
Confirmed: Jessie Diggins will retire after this season
November 19, 2025 / Yle
U.S. cross-country star Jessie Diggins, 34, announced on Instagram that she will end her professional skiing career after the current season. One of the most successful skiers of recent years, Diggins owns three Olympic and seven World Championship medals, three overall World Cup titles, and two Tour de Ski wins. She plans to race through the final World Cup events, with the season starting in Ruka and concluding with a U.S. swing in March.