Team sprint in Davos raises doubts about Kristine Stavås Skistad’s Olympic team‑sprint selection

Reporting from Davos, Switzerland, NRK describes a World Cup team sprint where Sweden’s Maja Dahlqvist and Jonna Sundling were untouchable for the win. Behind them, Norway’s two women’s teams battled, ending with a head‑to‑head sprint in which Mathilde Myhrvold (Norway II) outsprinted Kristine Stavås Skistad (Norway I).

Myhrvold said she hoped repeated efforts on the final climb wore Skistad down, while Skistad admitted she tied up badly in the finish. The Davos team sprint is the only such race before Olympic selection, prompting NRK experts to question Skistad’s suitability for the Olympic team sprint: they pointed to a tougher Olympic course and Skistad’s current lack of her trademark finishing kick, especially at altitude. Torgeir Bjørn stressed that although Skistad remains a strong candidate, nothing is guaranteed. Skistad herself acknowledged she needs top form to excel in team sprint, particularly at altitude.

In the men’s race, Norway’s first team of Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Erik Valnes produced a near‑flawless performance. Klæbo attacked decisively on the final “paddle” climb and dropped the field to secure victory, reinforcing the duo’s claim to the Olympic team sprint. National sprint coach Arild Monsen said no decision would be made immediately but confirmed Klæbo–Valnes are leading candidates, with Harald Østberg Amundsen also in the mix.

Norway’s second men’s team of Harald Østberg Amundsen and Oskar Opstad Vike finished seventh after Vike lost speed in a poorly executed corner late in the race. Vike was visibly disappointed, while Monsen noted he wasn’t far from passing the test.

Overall, the Davos results intensified the selection debate for Norway’s Olympic team sprint squads: Skistad’s position is under scrutiny on the women’s side, while Klæbo and Valnes strengthened their case among the men.