Sundling takes another Sprint crown in Lahti

Jonna Sundling went hard from the start to win the Sprint final in Lahti ahead of rival and Swedish compatriot Linn Svahn at the FIS Cross-Country World Cup on Saturday.

The Swedish women once again proved their strength with two of their four athletes making the podium, with Germany’s Coletta Rydzek taking third place to prevent Sweden making it a clean sweep as Johanna Hagstroem and Moa Ilar finished in fourth and fifth respectively. This is the 10th individual Women’s World Cup events Sweden have won this season.

Sundling, who was quickest in qualifying started out fast leading three of the four Swedish women at the front, the high-tempo quickly spreading out the field. Svahn, who won the World Cup Sprint Free the previous week in Falun, Sweden, attempted to close the gap but Sundling opened it up again going into the home straight.

This is the fourth individual World Cup win for Sundling this season and a satisfying victory over the Olympic Sprint Classic champion Svahn, whom she finished behind in second at Milano Cortina 2026.

In her first race after the Winter Olympic Games having missed last week’s event in Falun, Sundling said: “It’s really good to be back because I had some days with a cold. I’m a little bit sad to miss Falun but I had a really good day [today] out on the tracks. I think all day it’s been difficult with the conditions.

“It’s my favourite time of the year and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”

There were surprises earlier in the day with the World Cup leader Maja Dahlqvist (SWE) not making the semi-finals, as despite being quickest out of the gates in her quarter-final race she was edged out in final straight to finish fourth.

USA’s Jessie Diggins was also absent from the semi-finals after she was overtaken by Nadja Kaelin (SUI) and Hagstroem on the home straight.

Qualifying provided disappointment for Finland’s Jasmi Joensuu finished who was unable to reach the finals after finishing in 34th.

For full results of the Women’s Sprint final at the FIS Cross-Country World Cup at Lahti click here.