Swedes react after Kristine Stavås Skistad crushes rivals in Ruka: “Worryingly strong”

Norway enjoyed a big day in Ruka as Kristine Stavås Skistad overpowered the field in Saturday’s World Cup sprint.

After a week of off‑snow headlines, the 26‑year‑old answered emphatically in the final, winning clearly ahead of the Swedish trio Jonna Sundling, Maja Dahlqvist, and Johanna Hagström. Swedish commentators described Skistad’s display as “a little worrying” for her rivals, given how strong she looked this early in the season. “It felt great. A good start for me — I’m usually pretty slow at the start of the season, so this is promising,” Skistad told Viaplay.

Norway also dominated the men’s sprint. Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, beaten in Friday’s 10 km, bounced back to claim his 99th World Cup victory in the Finnish forests. “A good day — the body was on my side,” Klæbo told Viaplay. Teammates Erik Valnes and Ansgar Evensen finished just behind him to complete a Norwegian podium sweep, while Harald Østberg Amundsen placed fifth.

The Ruka World Cup weekend is set to finish with a 20 km mass start on Sunday.