Korhonen sprints to first Summer Grand Prix victory in Val di Fiemme

Sunshine and fast racing marked the Summer Grand Prix finale in Ziano di Fiemme. The day opened on the Giuseppe dal Ben HS109 hill, where Japan’s Yuna Kasai produced the longest jump with 99.5 m (128.6 pts) to lead into the 5 km afternoon roller ski race.

Finland’s Minja Korhonen landed 97 m (128.5 pts), just 0.1 points back, putting her shoulder-to-shoulder with Kasai at the start. Fellow Finn Heta Hirvonen jumped 97.5 m (124.8 pts) to begin the race 15 seconds behind.

On the 2.5 km city circuit through Ziano di Fiemme, Korhonen and Kasai traded small advantages. After one lap, Korhonen led by 0.3 seconds, with Alexa Brabec (USA) at +10.7 and Hirvonen at +11.2. Overall leader Nathalie Armbruster, only ninth after the jump, quickly skied into fifth.

The race was decided in the final lap. Korhonen tried to break clear, Kasai held firm, but Korhonen delivered the stronger finishing kick to win by 3.3 seconds. Hirvonen secured third at +28.2, while Brabec faded late.

Armbruster’s fourth place was enough to defend the overall Summer Grand Prix lead and clinch the 2025 series title ahead of Korhonen and Slovenia’s Ema Volavšek. Volavšek also took the Best Skier Trophy, and Korhonen claimed the Blue Bib as Best Jumper.