Cross-country: Questioned by Poromaa, Norway’s Hedegart now selected for Ruka World Cup

Norwegian cross-country and biathlon dual athlete Einar Hedegart has been selected for the World Cup opener in Ruka this weekend after shocking Norway by winning the national season opener in Beitostølen.

Hedegart’s profile rose late last winter when he finished second in the 10 km freestyle at the Holmenkollen World Cup. His declaration at the time that he primarily viewed himself as a biathlete drew a pointed quip from Sweden’s William Poromaa: “If he’s a biathlete, then I’m a footballer.”

Two weeks after that Holmenkollen result, Hedegart won the mass start at the Norwegian biathlon championships (his first NM gold) and said he would focus on biathlon. Entering this Olympic season, however, he has leaned back toward cross‑country: “I’m 70 percent cross‑country skier and 30 percent biathlete. I still have unfinished business with biathlon, but I think I’ll take that next year,” Hedegart said. Fellow biathlete Simon Kirkeeide also raced in Beitostølen, finishing 12th.

Hedegart’s win sparked mixed feelings among established Norwegian cross‑country skiers. Runner‑up Andreas Fjorden Ree, 13.2 seconds behind, joked that Hedegart “ruins the day.” Emil Iversen, 18th, said with a smile that he “looks down on all biathletes,” even while acknowledging they ski well, adding that cross‑country stands above biathlon in Norway.

National team coach Eirik Myhr Nossum set a high bar for Olympic selection: Hedegart would need to collect World Cup victories to earn a spot for the 2026 Games in Italy. For Ruka, Hedegart is slated only for the 20 km freestyle.

Norway’s men’s start list for the Ruka 20 km freestyle on 30 November includes: Harald Østberg Amundsen, Iver Tildheim Andersen, Einar Hedegart, Jan Thomas Jenssen, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Simen Hegstad Krüger, Martin Løwström Nyenget, and Mattis Stenshagen.