Korostelev beats Luusua and Valnes in Muonio

by Ingeborg Scheve • 14.11.2026
Korostelev
Saveliy Korostelev wins Saturday’s 10km in Muonio, 5.4 seconds ahead of a Finn previously banned for doping and more than 20 seconds clear of Erik Valnes.

Saveliy Korostelev wins Saturday’s 10km in Muonio, 5.4 seconds ahead of a Finn previously banned for doping and more than 20 seconds clear of Erik Valnes.

The 22-year-old neutral-status athlete came within a hair of an Olympic medal in the 50km last winter. On Saturday, he was the best. Saveliy Korostelev started with the last bib, led by more than seven seconds at the halfway point, and in the end won by a margin of 5.4 seconds.

Erik Valnes finished third, but more than 20 seconds behind the AIN skier.

Second place went to Ari Luusua. The 38-year-old Finn made a comeback in January after a four-year suspension for doping, and he may now be on his way to the World Cup in Ruka in two weeks.

This may be the last we see of the young Russian for a long time. On Thursday, the Finnish authorities decided that no Russian athletes will be granted visas. The decision applies from November 16 and will also apply to Russians who already hold valid Schengen visas from other Western European countries.

Olos/Muonio Race Weekend 2026 results

Top 5 Men, 10km Classic

  1. Saveliy Korostelev, AIN, 25:35.5
  2. Ari Luusua, Finland, +5.4
  3. Erik Valnes, Norway, +21.3
  4. Niko Anttola, Finland, +24.9
  5. Thomas Maloney Westgaard, Ireland, +33.7

Complete results can be found HERE

Also Read
Now: Denied visas, threatening legal action
Norway also says no to Russian athletes
Sweden moves to keep Russians out of the World Championships in Falun

Saturday’s classic race is the second event of the Olos/Muonio Race Weekend. The race weekend concludes on Sunday with a 10km freestyle. The weekend opened with a classic sprint on Friday.

In total, 338 skiers from 17 nations are registered for the weekend’s competitions, including 34 Norwegians. It is also the first time since 2021 that Russian skiers have been on the starting line in Muonio.

Live on SC Play

All races are streamed live and available on demand on SC Play, which holds exclusive broadcasting rights in all countries except Finland. Kjell-Erik Kristiansen commentates on all broadcasts. SC Play is included in the Proxcskiing.com membership.

WATCH THE OLOS/MUONIO SKI RACE WEEKEND ON SC PLAY

Also Read: Finnish Ski Premiere Olos/Muonio Live on SC Play

Program and broadcast times (CET)

Friday 13 November: Sprint, classic (women and men)

  • 08:45–10:00: Qualification
  • 10:45–13:25: Heats and finals

More information can be found HERE

Saturday 14 November: 10km classic (women, men and U20)

  • 08:45–12:30

More information can be found HERE

Sunday 15 November: 10km freestyle (women, men and U20)

  • 08:45–13:00

More information can be found HERE

Are you interested in traditional cross-country skiing? Click HERE and read more about it.

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