The World Cup has barely begun, yet the Olympic drama is already underway – and several male cross-country skiers are emerging as very real threats to Norway’s gold ambitions.

With the Olympics on the horizon, there is even more at stake this winter. After the World Cup opener in Ruka, a picture is already forming of who has been putting in the work since March. Here are five international male cross-country skiers who will push the Norwegian stars to the limit weekend after weekend.

Also Read – Cross-Country World Cup 2025/2026: Standings after the Ruka premiere

Edvin Anger

The 23-year-old Swede took his first sprint victory and his first World Cup distance podium last winter, won the U23 World Cup, and finished second overall in the World Cup.

Now, Anger is aiming for Olympic gold. Ahead of the season, he has made several adjustments, both physical and in his preparation. In the Ruka mass start, he finished third after breaking away halfway through the race and leading all the way to the finishing straight.

Read More: Close battle in Ruka as Norway tops the 20km mass start

Mika Vermeulen

The Austrian fired an early warning shot on day one of the Ruka opener by racing to third place in the 10km classic. He impressed again in the mass start, where he and Edvin Anger surprised the field with a mid-race attack and held the lead until nearly the end. The 26-year-old from Ramsau lives in Lillehammer and is neighbors with Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget.

Mathis Desloges

The Frenchman took a significant step before last season, his first full year on the World Cup circuit. He finished second overall in the U23 World Cup, just behind Edvin Anger, and 13th overall in the World Cup. He produced the race of his life in the skiathlon at the World Championships in Trondheim, his first major senior championship. In the Ruka mass start, he placed sixth – his best World Cup result to date. The 23-year-old from the Alps has openly stated that he is going for Olympic gold.

Also Read: 12 weeks at 3,000 meters – and no doubt: “I’m going to win Olympic gold”

Iivo Niskanen

The experienced Finn is a master of hitting peak form at precisely the right time. The 33-year-old is entirely focused on the Olympics in February, where the 50km classic – his favorite event – is on the program.

Niskanen is also highly motivated after missing the entire Trondheim World Championships due to illness. He was in a class of his own at the season debut in Vuokatti in early November and finished fifth in the 10km classic in Ruka – still carrying a heavy training load. If he stays healthy, he is a significant threat.

Read More: Unexpected withdrawal for Finnish star before the Ruka 20km mass start

William Poromaa

He missed the World Cup opener but won silver in the 50km at the Trondheim World Championships, just two seconds behind Johannes Høsflot Klæbo. The 24-year-old skipped the season opener in Ruka but is one of five Swedish skiers already given the green light for the Olympics.

Also Read: Five Swedish cross-country skiers confirmed for the 2026 Winter Olympics

Outsider: Alvar Myhlback

The Swedish young talent who won Vasaloppet in March insists that long-distance racing and Ski Classics remain his priority. But the superstar still competed in Ruka, finishing 16th in the 10km and ninth in the sprint. Now, Klæbo is urging the Swedish athlete to consider an Olympic campaign.

Read More: Shifted plans and joined Sweden’s World Cup team in Ruka

This is the first of two articles about international skiers to watch this winter – the next will feature the women to watch in the 2025/2026 season.

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