The World Cup opener in Ruka offered a glimpse of what’s ahead: here are five profiles who could leave a significant mark on the rest of the winter.

After the World Cup opener in Ruka last weekend, a clear picture is already forming of how the season may unfold – and who will challenge the Norwegian stars week after week: the Swedish gold train keeps rolling, Jessie Diggins remains impossible to ignore, and Finland has a reigning Sprint World Cup winner who delivers.

So, we start by looking beyond the obvious favorites.

Outsider: Helen Hoffmann

The young German won the overall U23 World Cup in her first season in the World Cup. Then she followed up with a dominant victory at the season opener in Muonio three weeks ago. We predict that Helen Hoffmann (photo above) will be a real joker this winter.

Also Read: The rising World Cup star ready to challenge cross-country’s elite

Sprint World Cup winner Jasmi Joensuu

The Finnish Sprint World Cup champion has trained harder and more purposefully than ever ahead of what may be her final season. The 29-year-old hinted already before the Trondheim World Championships that she is considering retiring after the 2026 Olympics and repeated before the season that she is still thinking about it.

In Ruka, she had some bad luck in the sprint, going out in the semifinals and finishing seventh. But at the Muonio opener, she took two second places, despite extensive training.

Read More: Shock announcement: World Cup leader considering retirement

Overall World Cup winner Jessie Diggins

The American 34-year-old has competed in the World Cup for over 15 years, won World and Olympic gold, and taken the overall World Cup title three times. No one digs deeper, sacrifices more, or shines brighter than Jessie Diggins. The coming season will be her final one at the World Cup level. Just enjoy the show.

Also Read – Jessie Diggins: portrait of an American icon in her golden final chapter

Frida Karlsson

The Swede took two golds and one bronze at the World Championships in Trondheim, despite a season plagued by a stubborn injury. After the season, the 26-year-old revealed that the pain and severity were so great that making it to the World Championships was almost impossible, and she spent much of the spring and early summer rehabilitating.

This autumn, Karlsson has been healthy and injury-free again and is back with even more confidence. Already on the first day in Ruka, she delivered a dominant victory. All signs point to her being a major headache for her competitors again this season.

Read More – Frida Karlsson breaks the silence: “We risk losing what’s unique”

Ebba Andersson

The Swedish 28-year-old was the star of the Trondheim World Championships, winning three of the four possible golds. After the championships, she continued her winning streak with two straight victories in the Ski Classics finale and ended her season with two golds and a silver at the Swedish Championships in April.

During the offseason, Andersson has followed her own training program and prioritized sessions and camps with her Pro Team, Team Engcon, rather than the national team.

At the Swedish season opener in Gällivare, she won both distance races. So, even though she was unexpectedly quiet in Ruka, there is every reason to expect a lot from Andersson this winter.

Read More: Team Engcon boosted by Ebba Andersson’s presence

Jonna Sundling

The Swedish star who won three golds at the Trondheim World Championships and has dominated sprint skiing for years keeps taking new steps.

In the 50km at the World Championships, she delivered a sensational fifth-place finish in her first-ever attempt at the distance under brutal conditions. In Ruka, she produced a commanding performance in the 20km freestyle that stunned both competitors and commentators. The 30-year-old from Umeå looks even more dangerous than before.

Also Read: Jonna Sundling voted best of the season

This is the second of two articles about international athletes to watch this winter – the first article presented the men.

Read More: Five men who could shake up the Olympic cross-country field