November 24, 2025

It’s the week when skis get waxed, throats get scratchy, and everyone insists their training camp was not a vacation. The World Cup doors swing open in Ruka while the rumors, rulebooks, and red cards arrive first.

First, the guest list: Sweden’s roster shows the bouncer working overtime. Alvar Myhlback, the 19-year-old long-distance prodigy, gets a velvet-rope pass for a Ruka cameo, while Linn Svahn, William Poromaa, Calle Halfvarsson, and Jens Burman are out—some with sniffles, some with “form.” Frida Karlsson would like you to know her Tenerife camp was not beach loafing; the tan lines are purely aerodynamic.

Across the border, Norway opened a side door and a biathlete wandered in. Einar Hedegart, who swears he’s only 30 percent biathlete now, won Beitostølen and earned a Ruka start in the 20 km skate, prompting cross-country stalwarts to check their skis for extra rifles. His selection story is here: Norway’s surprise pick. The culture clash got spicy enough that an entire essay asked if biathletes are the secret best skaters—complete with history lessons and wounded pride: the great ski family squabble.

Meanwhile, the rulebook bit back. Norway’s Kristine Stavås Skistad tried to game yellow cards like a supermarket loyalty program and got a straight red instead. The punchline wrote itself, and the Swedes read it aloud: red card, no reset. And hovering over all of this, an actual courtroom calendar: by December 10, CAS will decide whether Russian and Belarusian skiers can compete as neutrals this season, with Olympic quotas dangling like icicles. Details here: CAS decision due in December.

Biathlon boots at a cross-country ball: Einar Hedegart’s Beitostølen shock win nudges him onto the Ruka start list.

In the air, Japan’s jumpers started the season like they found a tailwind and forgot to give it back. Nozomi Maruyama swept Lillehammer—three wins in three days—while Ryoyu Kobayashi nabbed the men’s win on Sunday. Germany celebrated a first podium from Felix Hoffmann, but new suit rules left Andreas Wellinger describing his flight path “like a gutted bird,” which is both poetic and not how birds should be. The suit saga and struggles explained here: stricter suit checks after last year’s scandal and the weekend reality check for Wellinger: no lift, no points.

Maruyama, on repeat: three days, three wins, one very happy wax tech. ✨

Back on the tracks, Finland eyes a sprint revival at home. Ville Nousiainen counted a pack of quick Finns ready to mix it with the Norwegians, while a few veterans must find another gear before Olympic dreams melt: Finnish sprint stock report (with tough love). And just to ensure no one relaxes, the Swedes officially confirmed their big absences and Norway their surprises: teams named, eyebrows raised.

Sweden’s roll call: stars, teens, and several notable sick notes.

So Ruka opens with missing headliners, a biathlete in the mix, and a December court date circled in red. On the hills, Japan soars while everyone else tightens their suits and their metaphors. The season has that first-snow crunch: bright, a bit slippery, and loud enough to wake the neighbors.