Cross Country Skiing
Karlsson disappointed by lack of help setting the pace: “Hard when no one else wants to push”
November 30, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Sweden’s Frida Karlsson finished fourth in the women’s mass start in Ruka after losing out in the sprint. She expressed disappointment that few competitors helped drive the pace at the front, saying it was difficult to keep speed high alone. The race is part of the Cross-Country World Cup in Ruka, Finland.
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Einar Hedegart emerges as a hot Olympic contender after another blistering race: “He’s incredibly strong”
November 30, 2025 / Eurosport Norway
Norwegian biathlete-turned-cross-country skier Einar Hedegart followed up his surprise 10 km win at the Beitostølen season opener by finishing second in the Ruka 20 km mass start, only behind Harald Østberg Amundsen. Despite small tactical and technical mistakes, Hedegart’s form has propelled him into serious contention for Norway’s Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic team, with a crucial 10 km individual start coming next week in Trondheim.
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo overshadowed in Ruka 20 km: “I’m really pissed off”
November 30, 2025 / Eurosport Norway
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo finished only 15th in the men’s 20 km race at the Ruka World Cup and called his performance “terrible,” saying nothing worked and he would head home. Norway still dominated, with Harald Østberg Amundsen attacking on the final climb to win ahead of rising compatriot Einar Hedegart, while Sweden’s Edvin Anger took third. Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget was fourth as several other Norwegians placed in the top 20.
Cross-country skiing – Ruka: Vermeulen fifth after strong mass start
November 30, 2025 / krone.at
Austria’s Mika Vermeulen finished fifth in the men’s World Cup mass start in Ruka after leading much of the 20 km race alongside Sweden’s Edvin Anger. Norway’s Harald Østberg Amundsen won ahead of compatriot Einar Hedegart and Anger, with Vermeulen 8.4 seconds off the win. Vermeulen, who was already third in Friday’s 10 km classic opener, said wind and a hard-chasing Norwegian group caught them late; teammate Tobias Ganner placed 43rd.
Emil Iversen dominates again — books a World Cup start after runaway win at Scandinavian Cup in Gålå
November 30, 2025 / Eurosport Norway
Emil Iversen crushed the field in Sunday’s 20 km at the Scandinavian Cup in Gålå, adding a second victory in three days and earning selection for next weekend’s World Cup races in Trondheim. He finished 28.6 seconds ahead of Edvard Sandvik, who was chosen for the Ruka World Cup opener over Iversen, a decision criticized by Iversen and Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. The 34‑year‑old will now start both the 10 km free and the 20 km skiathlon at home, as he pursues a 10 km start at the Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympics.
Can Finland’s women close the big gap to the top? Expert Ville Nousiainen’s cautiously optimistic take
November 30, 2025 / Yle
On an icy course in Ruka’s 20 km freestyle mass start, four Finnish women—Hilla Niemelä, Anni Alakoski, Eveliina Piippo and Oona Kettunen—DNF’d due to poor edge grip, while Krista Pärmäkoski (16th) and Kerttu Niskanen (20th) finished well behind winner Jonna Sundling. Yle expert Ville Nousiainen acknowledged the sizable deficit but believes form can improve, and women’s coach Reijo Jylhä expects speed to rise as the season progresses. The piece contrasts women’s struggles with some men’s bright spots (Iivo Niskanen 5th over 10 km classic; Lauri Vuorinen and Johanna Matintalo in sprint finals), and highlights emerging names like Veeti Pyykkö and Kalle Parantainen.
Kläbo closing in on the 'crazy' dream mark of 100 World Cup wins: “Surreal to hear”
November 30, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo goes into Sunday’s 20 km freestyle World Cup in Ruka chasing his 100th individual World Cup victory. Swedish legend Torgny Mogren called the milestone “incredible,” noting the level of competition Klæbo has faced. Klæbo himself says the figure is hard to grasp as he continues to dominate men’s cross‑country skiing.
Cross-country: Edvin Anger third in Ruka mass start: “That was nice”
November 30, 2025 / SVT Sport
Sweden’s Edvin Anger finished third in the men’s 20 km mass start in Ruka, behind Norway’s Harald Østberg Amundsen and Einar Hedegart. Anger stayed with the lead group throughout but couldn’t match the Norwegian surge on the finishing straight, calling the podium a much‑needed boost for his confidence.
Cross-country: Emil Iversen wins again after being left off Norway’s Ruka team: “I got an energy boost”
November 30, 2025 / SVT Sport
Emil Iversen, omitted from Norway’s squad for the World Cup opener in Ruka, responded by winning two straight races at the Gålå national events: Friday’s 10 km freestyle and Sunday’s 20 km classic. He criticized the selection process—where 24‑year‑old Edvard Sandvik was preferred in part due to age—as “thin” and said the controversy gave him energy. With the victories, Iversen secured a start at next weekend’s World Cup in Trondheim, while Norway’s team management downplayed any tension.
Harald Østberg Amundsen wins Ruka mass start; France’s Mathis Desloges 6th
November 30, 2025 / L'Équipe
Norway’s Harald Østberg Amundsen captured the men’s 20 km freestyle mass start in Ruka, Finland, outsprinting teammate Einar Hedegart and Sweden’s Edvin Anger. France’s Mathis Desloges animated the race and finished sixth for a World Cup personal best, while Johannes Høsflot Klæbo struggled to 15th after winning Saturday’s sprint.
“Really cool!” — Austria’s Benjamin Moser takes 10th in Ruka sprint
November 29, 2025 / Kronen Zeitung (krone.at)
Austria’s Benjamin Moser opened the Cross-Country World Cup season in Ruka by reaching the semifinals and finishing 10th in the men’s sprint. He called the top‑10 start to the season “really cool,” noting his bigger goal is to make the top six. Norway’s Johannes Høsflot Klæbo won the men’s race in a Norwegian sweep, while Kristine Stavås Skistad took the women’s sprint.
Sprint star Skistad lets her skiing do the talking to reign in Ruka
November 29, 2025 / FIS
Kristine Stavaas Skistad won the opening classic sprint of the 2025/26 FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Ruka, Finland, her 12th career victory. She out-sprinted Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist in the final after steady progress through the heats, while Sweden’s Emma Ribom was disqualified and Johanna Hagström faded late. The article notes Skistad’s silver from Trondheim 2025 and previews Sunday’s 20 km freestyle mass start.