Simpson-Larsen 'in shock' after first World Cup victory

Norway's Karoline Simpson-Larsen claimed her first Coop FIS Cross-Country World Cup victory on Sunday, finishing first in the Women's 10km Interval Start Free in Davos, Switzerland.

The 28-year-old had never stood on a World Cup podium before, or even finished in the top-five. She struggled to understand what she had achieved after beating runner-up Moa Ilar of Sweden by 2.1 seconds as her teammate Astrid Oeyre Slind finished third.

"I'm just in shock, I can't believe it," Simpson-Larsen said.

"I felt strong today, but not that strong."

Her previous best World Cup result had been a sixth place in the 20km Mass Start Free in Ruka, Finland, a couple of weeks ago. She had only made it into the top-10 four times before. With her maiden victory in the bag, she is aiming for a spot at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic Games in February.

"It means really much," the winner said.

Sweden's Sprint ace Maja Dahlqvist, with start number 23, made a strong push in the last third of the race and finished on top of the table, just under 10 seconds faster than the previous leader, Leonie Perry of France, with bib 13.

The 38th starter, Ilar, however, had a good day at the high-altitude track and was 3.9 seconds faster than her teammate, taking over the lead. She would not spend much time in the leader's chair, however, as Simpson-Larsen refused to slow down, crossing the finish line in 21:32.8.

"It was really, really fun," the Norwegian said.

From the leader's chair, Simpson-Larsen could watch Slind beat all her times up until the 7.7km mark. In the last stretch of the race, however, not even endurance specialist Slind could keep up with her teammate. Having been 0.8 seconds ahead of Simpson-Larsen at the last checkpoint, Slind finished her race 2.2 seconds behind the winner, and a 10th of a second from the silver position.

USA's Overall World Cup leader Jessie Diggins claimed fifth place, 10.3 seconds behind the winner. Perry finished sixth and Kristin Austgulen Fosnaes made it three Norwegians among the top seven.

Germany's Helen Hoffmann finished in eighth place, marking her best result in an individual World Cup race and her second time in the top-10. The the 23-year-old finished more than two seconds ahead of Vilma Ryytty of Finland in ninth place, who finished among the 10 best for the first time. Hoffmann's teammate Pia Fink finished 10th.

The World Cup action continues in Toblach, Italy, on 28 December as Tour de Ski kicks off with Men's and Women's Sprint Free.

Click here for full results from the Men's 10km Interval Start Free and here to follow FIS Cross-Country on Youtube.