Cross Country Skiing
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.
Norwegian sprint star Skistad tried to game the rules, got a red card — Swedish rivals laugh
November 22, 2025 / Yle
Norway’s Kristine Stavås Skistad admitted she planned to deliberately collect a second yellow card at the Beitostølen FIS race so her warnings would reset before the Ruka World Cup — but she instead skated before the finish of the classic 10 km and was shown a straight red card for unsportsmanlike conduct. Her earlier yellow therefore still stands, drawing criticism from Norwegian teammates like Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Emil Iversen, and mockery from Sweden’s Moa Lundgren and Ebba Andersson. The article also lists Beitostølen podiums in men’s and women’s sprint and 10 km classic, and notes the approaching Ruka events.
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.
Klæbo on Iversen’s form: “It’s brutal” – confidence before Beitostølen opener
November 21, 2025 / Eurosport Norway
In a short video segment, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo says he has strong belief in teammate and friend Emil Iversen ahead of the season-opening races at Beitostølen. The piece frames Iversen’s Olympic qualification push for Milano–Cortina 2026 as demanding—"brutal"—but Klæbo remains optimistic about Iversen’s form.
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.