FIS Cross-Country World Cup – Ruka, Finland
The cross-country World Cup season always truly begins in Ruka, Finland — a dark, cold venue where there is nowhere to hide and form is revealed immediately.
Frida Karlsson opened the winter exactly like last year, winning the season’s first race on what increasingly feels like her personal course. On the men’s side, Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget showed early strength by taking the 10 km classic victory.
Sprint races brought drama as Kristine Stavås Skistad defeated the Swedish favorites. And when the course tilted uphill, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo proved once again that he’s nearly impossible to beat.
The weekend closed with Harald Østberg Amundsen patiently working through the field before surging to his first win of the season in the skate 20 km mass start. Jonna Sundling powered up the decisive final climb to take the victory amongst ladies.
