Norwegian sprint star Skistad tried to game the rules, got a red card — Swedish rivals laugh

Kristine Stavås Skistad, one of the world’s top sprint specialists, tried an unusual tactic at Norway’s season‑opening FIS races in Beitostølen. After receiving a yellow card for obstruction in Friday’s sprint that she won, she told media she would try to pick up a second yellow in Saturday’s 10 km classic so that her warning tally would reset before next week’s Ruka World Cup.

Because Beitostølen is a sanctioned FIS competition, cautions carry over to the World Cup. A second yellow would mean disqualification on the day but a clean slate thereafter. On Saturday, however, Skistad executed skating strides before the finish and the jury gave her a straight red card, citing both illegal skating and unsportsmanlike, spirit‑of‑the‑sport violations. The red did not erase the prior yellow, leaving that warning still on her record heading into Ruka.

Skistad acknowledged, “It didn’t go as planned. It was a bit stupid,” and quipped she might have to “read the rules.” Norwegian stars criticized the plan and its publicity: Johannes Høsflot Klæbo said the first rule of such tactics is not to announce them, while Emil Iversen called it tactless. Race director Torbjörn Broks Pettersen explained the decision, and NRK expert Pål Golberg supported the jury, calling it an important precedent.

Long‑running needle between Skistad and Swedish skiers resurfaced. Sweden’s Moa Lundgren laughed at the “Norwegian stupidity,” noting many have tried similar ploys before and been burned. Ebba Andersson called it unnecessary and said she has often received yellows only when she least wanted them.

Beitostølen results summarized: - Sprint (men): Johannes Høsflot Klæbo ahead of Ansgar Evensen and Erik Valnes. - Sprint (women): Skistad won ahead of Hedda Bakkemo and Ane Appelkvist Stenseth. - 10 km classic (men): Klæbo, then Valnes and Didrik Tönseth. - 10 km classic (women): Heidi Weng, followed by Kristin Austgulen Fosnæs and Julie Bjervig Drivenes.

The article also previews upcoming races: Sunday’s 10 km free in Beitostølen and the World Cup opener in Ruka (28–30 November), to be broadcast live on Yle.