Swedes dominate at Ruka, but could Diggins or Johaug break their stranglehold in the 20 km mass start?
The FIS World Cup in cross-country skiing concludes with the women’s 20 km mass start in the freestyle technique. Jasmi Joensuu, the leader of the World Cup standings, will not be competing in this race.
Friday’s dominant winner, Frida Karlsson, is now aiming for her second victory of the weekend, and achieving this would not be surprising. Like Karlsson, Ebba Andersson is capable of maintaining a fast pace over the distance. The two Swedes could work together to sustain the momentum.
Swedish sprinters, highly decorated in their specialty, could also make a strong showing, depending on the nature of the race. However, the start line will be filled with specialists in the traditional distances, all likely hoping for a race with a faster pace and not a last-minute sprint finish.
Therese Johaug, making an impressive return to competition, has a solid chance to reach the podium again. With the race distance doubled compared to Friday’s event, Sunday’s race is historically better suited to Johaug’s strengths. Still, it remains uncertain how she will cope with the intense physical demands after a multi-year break from competition. Heidi Weng, who finished 5th in the women’s 10 km classical race, will be seeking an improvement on that result.
Norwegian and Swedish skiers have dominated the women’s events at Ruka. Breaking through this stronghold is a difficult task, but Jessie Diggins, who won both the overall World Cup and the distance cup last season, could be a serious contender.
Germans Victoria Carl and Katharina Hennig are also capable of maintaining a fast race pace, being strong endurance skiers.
Kerttu Niskanen has been competing in all the events in Ruka. Known for her expertise in the classical technique, Niskanen will be looking to improve her previous performances in the Ruka World Cup during Sunday’s race.
Like Niskanen, Anne Kyllönen is also participating in every event. Kyllönen impressed in the sprint, finishing among the top 12. In the tough free technique race at Olos, she delivered a strong performance, finishing 5th in a highly competitive field.
Krista Pärmäkoski, who skipped the sprint, will return to the race on Sunday. Pärmäkoski was the top Finnish skier in Friday’s competition, finishing in 12th place.
Texti: Sanja Karhunen
Photo: Teemu Moisio