Trollhättan kicks off a thrilling Roller Ski season

The 2026 FIS Roller Ski World Cup is underway – and if the opening weekend in Trollhättan, Sweden, is anything to go by, the battle for the World Cup titles promises to be one to watch.

Over three days, the world’s best roller skiers went head-to-head on the roads of Trollhättan, delivering fast sprints, a gruelling long-distance race and tough individual starts in classic technique. With the first of three World Cup stages now in the books, the season is already gathering pace – and there is no time to slow down.

The next stop is Madona, Latvia, where the FIS Roller Ski World Championships will take centre stage from 3–6 September. After that, the World Cup will return to Italy for its grand finale in Val di Fiemme from 18–20 September.

Trollhättan summary

In the senior sprint, Sweden celebrated a double victory as Johanna Hagström (SWE) and Anton Grahn (SWE) claimed the women’s and men’s titles. Hagström finished ahead of Andorra’s Gina Del Rio, while Grahn took the men’s victory ahead of Latvia’s reigning overall World Cup winner Raimo Vigants.

The weekend then moved from explosive sprinting to endurance. Saturday’s 48-kilometre Alliansloppet brought together a huge field and some of the biggest names in Nordic skiing. Astrid Øyre Slind (NOR) took the women’s victory, while Andrew Musgrave (GBR) was among the headline performers in the men’s race.

Sunday brought the weekend to a spectacular conclusion, with four Swedish victories across the senior and junior races. Elin Henriksson (SWE) won the senior women’s 15km classic individual start, finishing ahead of Del Rio and Hagström, while Edvin Anger took the men’s race. In the junior categories, Noomi Zeffer and Ville Jutterdal completed the Swedish clean sweep.

Next stop: Madona – World Championship glory awaits

From 3–6 September, Latvia will welcome the world’s best roller skiers for the FIS Roller Ski World Championships, with both senior and junior athletes fighting for World Championship titles.

Around 200 athletes from 25 nations are set to compete, making Madona one of the biggest gatherings of roller ski talent on the calendar. The championships will combine the renowned Smeceres sils venue with racing through the streets of Madona, giving athletes a unique mix of demanding courses and an urban atmosphere.

The four-day programme has something for every type of roller ski fan:

• Classic interval starts,

• Team Sprint action,

• 200m freestyle Sprint

• Mass start. Seniors 20km and Juniors 15km

Last but not least, Val di Fiemme

The final stage of the 2026 FIS Roller Ski World Cup will take place in Val di Fiemme, Italy, from 18–20 September, bringing the season to a dramatic conclusion.

On the opening day, the athletes will take on Alpe Cermis – the legendary climb synonymous with the Tour de Ski in winter. Now, the iconic uphill challenge comes to life on roller skis, giving the world’s best a chance to write their own chapter on one of Cross-Country skiing’s most famous climbs.

The finale weekend will then feature Sprint before they wrap it all up with a Team Sprint on Sunday.