Naeslund wins Crystal Globe then Gallivare big final, Mobaerg completes Sweden double

With this season’s Crystal Globe secured, Sandra Naeslund (SWE) added the icing on the cake by winning the inaugural Gallivare World Cup big final on Saturday.

Hannah Schmidt (CAN) was quickest out of the gate, with Linnea Mobaerg (SWE) reacting just 0.01 second slower, while Naeslund and Daniela Maier (GER) surged forward.

Naeslund quickly established a lead she would not relinquish, crossing the finish line 0.21 seconds in front of Maier in a fitting ending. With that result, the Olympic champion secured second place on the World Cup overall standings.

Schmidt took third a further 0.15 seconds adrift, while Mobaerg was fourth, matching her best career finish, having also featured in the Innichen big final in 2022.

Jole Galli (ITA) won the small final, with Marielle Thompson (CAN), Marielle Berger Sabbatel (FRA), and Veronika Redder (GER) finishing in sixth, seventh and eighth respectively.

Naeslund arrived in Gallivare 175 points ahead of Maier and needed to be in the top 10 on Saturday to lift her fourth Crystal Globe.

And the top qualifier delivered, winning her quarterfinal ahead of Berger Sabbatel, Jade Grillet Aubert (FRA), and Katrin Ofner (AUT) in the first women’s heat of the day, before Maier could affect the Crystal Globe race.

Naeslund is just the second athlete of any gender to win five or more Crystal Globes, with only Ophelie David (FRA) having won more (seven).

Naeslund also won her semifinal en route to her 10th World Cup win of the season. She is now on 1,168 points, breaking the record for the most World Cup points in a single season by an athlete of any gender.

She rewrote her own mark, set in the 2012/22 season, when she amassed 1150 points.

Naeslund has a chance to gain more points tomorrow, when she seeks her 50th World Cup win.

“It's motivation,” she said of the milestone. “I secured the globe now, got a victory in Sweden. Just going to enjoy tomorrow, ski as fast as I can.” 

This is the first time that Naeslund has won the Crystal Globe on home snow.

David Mobaerg wins on home snow again

Mobaerg’s older brother David Mobaerg (SWE) completed a historic day for Sweden by winning the men’s big final.

The 26-year-old held off Crystal Globe winner Reece Howden (CAN) to win by 0.28 seconds.

Kilian Himmelsbach (GER) was third in his first World Cup big final, with 16th being his previous best World Cup finish, which he achieved at Montafon and Val di Fassa earlier this year. Tyler Wallasch (USA) settled for fourth.

It was David’s first World Cup win of the season and his first victory since back-to-back triumphs at Idre Fjall in March 2024. It also marked his first win as a father.

“The (fans) were amazing, they were cheering me on after every heat. It was so fun coming down, the people cheering me on.

“Reece has been having an amazing season. He’s always fast in the starts, big respect to be racing against him. Today, I finally took the win.”

Federico Tomasoni (ITA) won the small final ahead of Evan Klufts (FRA), Nicolas Raffort (FRA), and Ryan Regez (SUI).

The FIS Ski Cross World Cup continues with a second day of racing in Gallivare, Sweden on 29 March 2026.