Sprint star Skistad lets her skiing do the talking to reign in Ruka

Kristine Stavaas Skistad (NOR) claimed the 12th win of her career by taking the first Sprint victory of the 2025/26 FIS Cross-Country Skiing World Cup season, a Classic in Ruka, Finland.

On a tactical rather than treacherous sprint course in Ruka, notable for it's steep final climb and short stadium finish, the 26-year-old was only 11th fastest in qualifying.

But the softly spoken sprint specialist, who claimed the silver medal in the sprint at the Trondheim 2025 Nordic Skiing World Championships amid an injury-hit 2024/25, looked in ominous form throughout the heats.

Known for starting fast and hitting the front so she can control the pace, she deployed these tactics in the quarter-finals and semi-finals. Both times she was joined by world and Olympic sprint champion Jonna Sundling, but the Swede looked strangely out of sorts, only qualifying for the semis and then the final as one of the lucky losers.

With fellow sprint star Linn Svahn missing the start of the season, Emma Ribom seemed the most likely Swedish challenger, but she was disqualified after receiving two yellow cards in the quarter-final, having looked strong in finishing just behind Skistad.

Skistad made much more serene progress to the final, showing her power on the final climb and short home straight. But the tall Norwegian's attempts to set the tempo in the final were quickly challenged by another Swede, Johanna Hagstroem, who won this race last season.

By the time she hit the final climb Skistad was flanked by Hagstroem and two-time World Cup sprint champion, Maja Dahlqvist (SWE). But neither could match the finishing speed of their rival, who crossed the line 0.2 seconds ahead of a charging Sundling and Dahlqvist, who had to settle for bronze after a photo finish. Hagstroem faded badly to end more than a second further back.

"It was the perfect start to the season and it's a good feeling to beat the Swedish girls," Skistad said, barely looking out of breath. "It feels very good to get my first win here in Ruka. I like the course."

Dahlqvist, meanwhile, celebrated her 33rd individual World Cup podium wondering what might have been. "My body feels really good but I'm a bit disappointed about my tactics," she said. "I didn't get everything out on the last uphill because I got stuck behind, but it was my own fault. I'm really happy that I can still end up on the podium."

The action continues in Ruka on Sunday with the 20km Mass Start Freestyle.

For the full results from Ruka click here.