Harald Amundsen Wins the 20 km Free at Ruka

Ski de fond: Harald Amundsen Wins the 20 km Free at Ruka

Norwegian Harald Amundsen claimed victory over two of his compatriots at Ruka. Having been the reigning champion of the World Cup globe, he won the 20 km free race, finishing ahead of Jan Jenssen and Martin Nyenget. In the women's category, American Jessie Diggins clinched her first win of the season.

Amundsen's win at the 20 km free race showcases his continued dominance in the sport, as he led a strong Norwegian showing despite the absence of Johannes Klaebo, who withdrew after his previous sprint victory. Meanwhile, French skiers Mathis Desloges and Jules Lapierre also performed well, securing 9th and 10th places, respectively. This marks a promising start to the World Cup for Desloges, the under-22 champion from last year.

In the women's race, Jessie Diggins secured her win, besting Sweden's Jonna Sundling and Norway's Heidi Weng. French skier Flora Dolci finished strong in 11th place, signaling a positive shift for her after last season's results.

This competitive environment at Ruka sets the stage for an exciting season ahead in cross-country skiing, underscoring the strength of both Norwegian and American skiers on the global stage.