Devastated Skistad Had to Be Consoled: 'I’d Rather Forget This Day'

At the 2025 Ski World Championships in Granåsen, Norway, the women’s sprint final turned into an emotional rollercoaster. Norwegian skier Kristine Stavås Skistad, who had battled hard throughout the race, suddenly faltered near the finish and ended up with the silver medal as Swedish rival Jonna Sundling surged ahead to claim gold. Swiss competitor Nadine Fähndrich earned the bronze medal in a final that proved to be one of the most extreme and challenging in recent memory.

Following the race, a devastated Skistad was seen sitting in the snow for several minutes, her disappointment palpable as she clutched her face in despair. She later explained that although the silver medal is an achievement, it was not the outcome she had worked for, adding that the loss was especially hard given the immense effort and work put in over the past year.

In the aftermath, support came not only from her coach Lage Sofienlund but also from other members of the skiing federation, who all tried to console her after a day that will be hard to forget. The final was marked by exceptionally loose snow and difficult conditions, which led to multiple falls and tense moments for many of the competitors.

The drama of the day was compounded by other news from the championships. Favorite Linn Svahn, widely considered one of the top contenders, suffered a concussion during training and will miss the rest of the championships. Meanwhile, fellow Norwegian Lotta Udnes Weng, who finished last in the sprint final, paid tribute to the Swedish champion by praising Sundling’s strength and sportsmanship.

Overall, the race at Granåsen has become a memorable, if painful, moment in the world championships—a stark reminder of the harsh and unpredictable nature of elite cross-country skiing under difficult conditions.