Sweden hit by big absences, Norway names surprise picks for Ruka World Cup

The Swedish and Norwegian ski federations have named their teams for the upcoming Cross‑Country World Cup weekend in Ruka.

Sweden’s 19‑year‑old talent Alvar Myhlbäck convinced selectors in Gällivare and will get a World Cup start in Ruka. He placed third in the 10 km classic but was disqualified in the sprint, after which he vented frustration in comments to Aftonbladet. Until now, most of his World Cup starts have been in Sweden, with one appearance in Lillehammer last season.

However, Sweden’s 21‑member squad is missing several big names: Linn Svahn, William Poromaa, Calle Halfvarsson, Marcus Grate and Jens Burman. Poromaa, Halfvarsson and Burman struggled well outside the top spots in the Gällivare races. Poromaa’s father, Larry Poromaa, told SVT that William felt feverish and slept poorly, making a Ruka start impossible given the short turnaround. Svahn is also out after falling ill before Gällivare; she ended last season early due to a concussion and neck injury, and last year in Ruka she suffered a scary crash off the sprint course into the stands and roadside area.

Norway’s Beitostølen selection races produced surprise winners Julie Bjervig Drivenes and Einar Hedegart, and both have been named to the Ruka team. Lesser‑known Aron Åkre Rysstad was also picked for the men’s sprint. Bjervig Drivenes has raced World Cups mostly in Norway; two seasons ago she finished 24th in a 10 km individual start free in Östersund. Hedegart drew attention last season by beating Johannes Høsflot Klæbo in Oslo and finishing second in a 10 km individual start free. Norway will field 28 athletes in total (13 women, 15 men).