Olympic spot in danger — Hegstad Krüger left out of Davos World Cup

Simen Hegstad Krüger (32) has been left out of Norway’s start list for the men’s 10 km freestyle at the World Cup in Davos, Switzerland this coming weekend. The Norwegian Ski Federation confirmed the selection on Monday, and Krüger’s name was absent.

The decision could seriously jeopardize the Olympic place of the experienced distance specialist. Sunday’s 10 km freestyle in Davos is effectively the final selection race for the Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic 10 km. Norway is expected to have eight start spots for the race, but competition for those positions is fierce, and Krüger is currently on the outside looking in.

Selections for Davos were based on last weekend’s World Cup results in Trondheim, where Krüger finished 17th, 48.5 seconds behind winner Einar Hedegart. Nine Norwegian athletes and seven foreign skiers placed ahead of him. Krüger had been ill during the Ruka opener two weeks earlier, making Trondheim his first World Cup races of the season; he placed 10th in Saturday’s 20 km.

NRK expert Fredrik Aukland suggested that either Krüger or Emil Iversen could miss out given the depth of Norway’s men: “The train might leave without Krüger now. This is dramatic for him.” Krüger himself told VG after Trondheim, “You feel empty. It’s pitch black, frankly.”

Norway’s Davos teams:

Women – Sprint freestyle (Sat 13 Dec) - Ingrid Bergene Aabrekk (IL Runar / Team ELON Oslofjord) - Milla Grosberghaugen Andreassen (Bækkelagets SK / Team ELON Oslofjord) - Mathilde Myhrvold (Vind IL) - Kristine Stavås Skistad (Konnerud IL) - Ane Appelkvist Stenseth (Grong IL) - Lotta Udnes Weng (Nes Ski)

Women – 10 km interval start, freestyle (Sun 14 Dec) - Julie Bjervig Drivenes (Konnerud IL) - Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs (Fossum IF) - Anne Kjersti Kalvå (Lundamo IL / Team Aker Dæhlie) - Nora Sanness (Kjelsås IL) - Karoline Simpson-Larsen (IL Vargar / Team Anlegg Øst) - Astrid Øyre Slind (Oppdal IL / Team Aker Dæhlie)

Men – Sprint freestyle (Sat 13 Dec) - Harald Østberg Amundsen (Asker SK) - Ansgar Evensen (Vind IL) - Lars Heggen (Harestua IL / Team Aker Dæhlie) - Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (Byåsen IL) - Even Northug (Strindheim IL) - Mattis Stenshagen (Gausdal SK / Team Swix) - Erik Valnes (Bardufoss og Omegn IL) - Oskar Opstad Vike (IL Runar)

Men – 10 km interval start, freestyle (Sun 14 Dec) - Harald Østberg Amundsen (Asker SK) - Iver Tildheim Andersen (Rustad IL) - Einar Hedegart (Inderøy IL / Team Anlegg Øst) - Emil Iversen (IL Varden Meråker) - Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (Byåsen IL) - Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget (Lillehammer SK) - Andreas Fjorden Ree (Støren SK) - Mattis Stenshagen (Gausdal SK / Team Swix)

Two Davos spots were automatically allocated to Klæbo (overall World Cup winner last season) and Stenshagen (overall Scandinavian Cup winner). With form returning across Norway’s squad, Krüger faces an uphill battle to secure selection for the Olympic 10 km in February.

The article also notes Krüger has increased training intensity this season, adding more hard sessions from spring, but his early-season illness and the depth of Norway’s team have complicated his path to Milano–Cortina.