Cross Country Skiing
FIS clears three Russians and six Belarusians to compete under neutral flag
December 10, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation (FIS) has approved nine athletes from Russia and Belarus to enter World Cup events under a neutral flag. The list includes cross‑country skiers Savely Korostelev and Daria Nepryayeva, alongside freestyle/freeski and alpine names. The decision opens the door for their participation at the international World Cup level despite ongoing restrictions on national representation.
Cross-country skiing: Russia could cost Sweden an Olympic quota spot: “It’s possible”
December 10, 2025 / SVT Sport
SVT reports that Russian skier Saveliy Korostelev has been granted neutral status and will start in the Davos World Cup, which could affect Olympic quota allocations for Milan–Cortina 2026. Because Russia can now compete for one of the last ten quota places, Sweden’s men may end up with one fewer Olympic start, depending on whether additional athletes from non‑qualified nations achieve under 300 FIS points. Swedish national team boss Anders Byström and expert Anders Blomquist react, noting the decision stems from the CAS ruling allowing neutral participation and that final quota clarity may not come until mid‑January.
Cross-country skiing: Moa Ilar explains her breakthrough — “Not so bad to be injured”
December 09, 2025 / SVT Sport
Sweden’s Moa Ilar says an operated foot injury last spring may have helped trigger her strong start to the season. After double podiums at the Swedish season opener in Gällivare, she has already finished 3rd in the 10 km classic in Ruka and 2nd in the 10 km freestyle in Trondheim, and was just hundredths from the skiathlon podium. Ilar says many things have fallen into place, and the results have boosted her confidence.
Cross-country skiing: Sweden names team for Davos World Cup: “A little extra nerves”
December 09, 2025 / SVT Sport
Sweden has announced its cross‑country squad for this weekend’s Davos World Cup, which doubles as a key Olympic selection event. Olympic-qualified stars Ebba Andersson, Frida Karlsson and William Poromaa will skip Davos, and Alvar Myhlback is absent due to the Ski Classics premiere, while Marcus Grate returns and Elina Rönnlund makes her World Cup season debut. The program features team sprint (Fri) followed by freestyle sprint (Sat) and 10 km freestyle individual start (Sun).
Swedish team boss on Myhlback’s breakthrough: “We’ve been hoping for this”
December 09, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Swedish national-team manager Anders Byström praised 18‑year‑old Alvar Myhlback after his podium in the World Cup sprint in Trondheim, calling it proof of his all‑round ability. Despite upcoming World Cup races in Davos this weekend, Myhlback will skip them to prepare for the long‑distance Ski Classics series. Byström says the start to Myhlback’s season has been outstanding and showcases his talent in both sprint and traditional distances.
Analysis: Aleksandr Bolshunov’s behavior tears Russia’s cross‑country team apart amid Olympic eligibility ruling
December 09, 2025 / Yle
CAS ruled that Russian and Belarusian Nordic athletes may compete at the Milan–Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics as neutrals if they meet IOC criteria, but internal strife is roiling Russia’s cross‑country ski team. Star Aleksandr Bolshunov sparked outrage after shoving Aleksandr Bakurov at a Russian Cup sprint, drawing rare public condemnation and a brief suspension, and escalating a rift between coach groups led by Yuri Borodavko and Egor Sorin. With Bolshunov’s political ties likely barring him from neutral status, rising athletes like Savely Korostelev target World Cup returns, while federation chief Elena Välbe doubts many Russians will meet IOC conditions.
Cross-country phenom Saveliy Korostelev draws attention: “From Russia’s highest skiing lineage”
December 09, 2025 / SVT Sport
SVT highlights Russian cross‑country prodigy Saveliy Korostelev, 22, who has produced notable results despite Russia’s World Cup suspension and could compete at the 2026 Olympics under a neutral flag. Analyst Anders Blomquist calls him one of the most exciting skiers in the world and says he comes from the country’s “highest skiing caste,” while SVT reporter Maria Lapenkova notes the pressure on him given few Russians may be cleared for the Games. Korostelev has chosen not to comment on the war in Ukraine, a stance that may enable his neutral eligibility.
Why Sweden’s biggest stars skip the Davos World Cup weekend
December 09, 2025 / Sveriges Radio – Radiosporten
Sweden has named its cross-country squad for the Davos World Cup, but top distance skiers Ebba Andersson, Frida Karlsson, William Poromaa and Alvar Myhlback are absent. With a program featuring team sprint, individual sprint and a 10 km freestyle, the distance specialists are opting to rest, opening spots for athletes like Elina Rönnlund and Marcus Grate. The article lists the selected women’s and men’s teams for the Swiss World Cup stop.
How FIS checks Russian athletes’ neutrality before Davos World Cup entry
December 09, 2025 / SVT Sport
FIS competition director Sandra Spitz explains the vetting process for allowing Russian (and Belarusian) athletes to compete as neutrals in this weekend’s cross‑country World Cup in Davos. A panel including FIS secretary general Michel Vion uses reports from an external firm that audits athletes’ online activity and other integrity criteria before approvals are issued, which could come just days before competition and influence Olympic qualification chances.
Cross-country: Stina Nilsson on her relationship with the media: “Super fed up with seeing headlines that aren’t true”
December 09, 2025 / SVT Sport
Swedish star Stina Nilsson reflects on her relationship with the media, saying she tried to avoid “failure headlines,” especially when she switched from cross-country skiing to biathlon. Now competing in long-distance Ski Classics, she calls her Vasaloppet victory the greatest achievement of her career, outweighing even her PyeongChang Olympic gold because of the memories it created. The piece promotes her appearance on SVT’s interview series Kallprat.
Illness forces Krista Pärmäkoski to cut short Davos training camp
December 09, 2025 / Yle
Finnish cross‑country skier Krista Pärmäkoski said on Instagram she is leaving her Davos, Switzerland training camp earlier than planned due to a virus. She expects to change her original race calendar and remains optimistic about switching to a plan B. The article also notes the Davos World Cup weekend schedule on 12–14 December 2025.
Cross-country: Emil Persson’s body won’t cooperate — why he’s skipping the Ski Classics opener
December 09, 2025 / SVT Sport
Swedish long-distance star Emil Persson will miss this weekend’s Ski Classics season opener in Bad Gastein due to persistent physical issues that have disrupted his training since October. He reports no specific pain but says a locking problem in his hip and lower back area prevents normal movement and effective training. Persson is restarting rehabilitation with physio, naprapathy, and massage, aiming to return in January but acknowledging his goals have shifted toward late-season races after the Vasaloppet.