Cross-country skiing : Norwegian triple in Ruka
A few minutes after Kristine Staavas Skistad ‘s victory in the women’s race, it was the turn of the cross-country skiers to battle it out for victory in the classic sprint of the cross-country skiing world cup in Ruka (Finland).
In an event that lived up to all its promises, king Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo once again imposed his law. Already dominant in the qualifying rounds, he assumed his status perfectly in the quarter-finals and then the semi-finals.
In the final battle, the man with five major crystal globes took advantage of the fearsome final bump on the Kuusamo track to take the lead. Leading into the final bend, he then used his power to claim his first World Cup win of the winter, the 99th of his career on the main circuit.
Behind him, Erik Valnes took second place. The 29-year-old cross-country skier had an excellent day, but was no match for his compatriot. It was his 29th World Cup podium.
The battle for the third step of the podium was fierce between Norway’s Ansgar Evensen and Jules Chappaz. But in the end it was the Scandinavian who took third place after the photo finish. It was the fourth podium finish of the 25-year-old’s career.
Jules Chappaz finished a fine fourth, just two hundredths off the podium. After qualifying in 11th place, the Haut-Savoyard managed his quarter-final perfectly before switching to time for the final. In the final race, well before the last climb, he made a huge effort to try and climb back up. With all his power, he rode a fine final straight but was just a breath away from the podium.
Norway’s Harald Oestberg Amundsen then took fifth place, while Lauri Vuorinen rounded off the final rankings.
The full rankings
2026CC2208RLThe overall sprint ranking
2026CC2208WCSP-1The overall World Cup standings
2026CC2208WCOVRead also
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