Cross Country Skiing
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Swedes react after Kristine Stavås Skistad crushes rivals in Ruka: “Worryingly strong”
November 29, 2025 / Eurosport Norway
Kristine Stavås Skistad dominated the women’s sprint in Ruka, winning the World Cup final ahead of Sweden’s Jonna Sundling, Maja Dahlqvist and Johanna Hagström. Swedish TV commentators called Skistad’s form “worryingly strong.” On the men’s side, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo took his 99th World Cup victory, leading a Norwegian sweep with Erik Valnes and Ansgar Evensen; Harald Østberg Amundsen was fifth. The Ruka weekend concludes with a 20 km mass start on Sunday.
Lauri Vuorinen had a bad feeling from the morning — but Matintalo–Vuorinen couple still bright spots for Finland in Ruka sprint
November 29, 2025 / Yle
At the Ruka World Cup classic sprint, Finland placed two athletes in the finals: Lauri Vuorinen in the men’s race and Johanna Matintalo in the women’s. Vuorinen, last year’s podium finisher, advanced strongly through the heats but faded on the final climb, while Norway swept the men’s podium led by Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. In the women’s race, Kristine Stavås Skistad won ahead of Jonna Sundling and Maja Dahlqvist; Matintalo returned to a World Cup final and finished sixth, as several other Finns suffered from grip issues and mishaps.
An Olympic dream forced this Iranian woman to switch sports – what life is like for a female athlete in Iran
November 29, 2025 / Yle
Iranian cross-country skier and Tehran-born architect Samaneh Beyrami Baher will compete at the Winter Olympics for the second time in February. Because of Iran’s strict dress codes and social norms, she closely monitors her public image, including photos media publish of her. Living in Marbella as a personal trainer, she prepares for Milan–Cortina 2026 after already being selected as Iran’s lone women’s cross-country quota, describing the challenges of training in Tehran versus Europe.
After a tumultuous year, Rosie Brennan is competing on her own terms with Olympic goals
November 29, 2025 / Anchorage Daily News
Two-time U.S. Olympian Rosie Brennan describes battling an undiagnosed, likely post‑viral condition that derailed her 2024–25 campaign and forced a complete overhaul of training. Working with APU coach Erik Flora, she shifted to lower‑inflammation strength work and “micro‑intervals,” and has returned to the World Cup in Ruka with an eye on qualifying for a third Olympics. The feature traces her setbacks, medical search, and renewed approach as she targets steady racing and Olympic selection by mid‑January.
Star nearly knocked out in sprint qualifier — Hagström fastest
November 29, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
At the World Cup opener in Ruka, Sweden’s Johanna Hagström topped the women’s sprint qualification, continuing her strong form at the Finnish venue where she won last year. Fellow Swede Emma Ribom narrowly avoided elimination—on her birthday—sneaking into the heats with the final qualifying spot. Radiosporten expert Torgny Mogren praised Hagström but tipped another Swede for a podium later in the day.
“I hate this” — Marcus Grate considers pausing his season after Ruka World Cup setback
November 29, 2025 / Sveriges Radio (Radiosporten)
Sweden’s Marcus Grate was eliminated already in sprint qualification at the Ruka Cross‑Country World Cup, two years after setting the fastest qualifying time on the same course. Visibly frustrated, he told Radiosporten he doesn’t feel he belongs at this level right now and is even considering pausing his season. Expert Torgny Mogren believes there is still a clear path forward for Grate.
Anton Grahn’s collapse in the sprint quarterfinal: “My brain just froze”
November 29, 2025 / Sveriges Radio – Radiosporten
Sweden’s Anton Grahn was eliminated in the sprint quarterfinals in Ruka after losing all speed on the final downhill. He said he felt stronger than in qualifying and got a good start, but a late lane change and poor glide let five rivals pass him, ending his heat. The incident occurred during the Cross-Country World Cup opener in Ruka, Finland.
Teemu Selänne’s golf buddy chases Olympic dream at Ruka – Yle expert gives blunt verdict
November 29, 2025 / Yle
At the Ruka World Cup sprint and distance races, skiers from non-traditional nations competed to collect FIS points and keep Milano–Cortina 2026 hopes alive. The spotlight falls on 48-year-old Edward Limbaga of the Philippines, who only started on rollerskis in July and skied on snow for the first time two weeks ago, and on Venezuela’s Nicolas Claveau‑Laviolette, who may have secured an Olympic quota. Yle expert Ville Nousiainen questions letting very low-ranked athletes seek points in World Cups, suggesting separate qualification events instead.
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.