Amundsen makes late burst to win 20k in Ruka: 'I'm hungry for more'

Harald Østberg Amundsen claimed his first victory of the World Cup season by winning the men’s 20 km Mass Start Freestyle in Ruka, Finland, repeating his success on the course from last year. Despite an early broken pole and a self‑described “nervous” start in high‑speed conditions, the Norwegian timed his effort perfectly, saving energy before unleashing a decisive surge on the final incline.

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who won over this distance in Ruka in 2022 and is hunting a landmark 100th World Cup win, stayed with the leaders through half distance but could not respond when Edvin Anger (SWE) and Mika Vermeulen (AUT) pushed clear on lap three. Klæbo slipped to 15th at the finish, 18.3 seconds behind the winner.

Vermeulen initiated the day’s first major split, joined by Anger and France’s Hugo Lapalus. While Lapalus later dropped back, Anger and Vermeulen shared the work to keep the chasers at bay. On lap four, Amundsen spearheaded a counter with teammates Einar Hedegart and Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, along with France’s Mathis Desloges, reeling in the leaders before the final lap.

In the six‑man finale, Amundsen attacked on the last climb to draw clear, winning by 1.9 seconds over Hedegart, who edged Anger in a tight sprint for second. Vermeulen, after much of the front‑running, finished fifth behind Nyenget.

Amundsen celebrated his 11th World Cup win, saying he was “hungry for more.” Hedegart—formerly a biathlete who switched to cross‑country with an eye on Milano–Cortina 2026—called second place a strong result but admitted to “beginner mistakes.” Anger was pleased with his first podium of the season and joked he “did a good thing for the sport” by preventing a Norwegian sweep.

The FIS Cross‑Country World Cup continues in Trondheim, Norway, on 5 December with men’s and women’s classic sprints.