Ruka, Finland, is the place of this year’s World Cup premiere. The event begins on Friday, November 25, with a sprint race in classic technique. On Saturday, November 26, a 10km classic style race with individual start awaits. And on Sunday, November 27, the World Cup premiere weekend ends with a 20km pursuit race in freestyle technique. 

Germany and Austria have named their cross-country ski teams for the upcoming World Cup premiere in Ruka. Germany will start with twelve athletes, and Austria with only two cross-country skiers. 

According to a press release from the German Ski Association, twelve athletes were nominated for the World Cup in Ruka. Jonas Dobler had to give up a start at the premiere due to a cold. 

Here is the German Team for the Ruka World Cup

Women

• Victoria Carl
• Pia Fink
• Laura Gimmler
• Katharina Hennig
• Sofie Krehl
• Lisa Lohmann
• Coletta Rydzek

Men

• Lucas Bögl
• Janosch Brugger
• Albert Kuchler
• Friedrich Moch
• Florian Notz

Victoria Carl is motivated and confident for the new season:

“I got through the summer and autumn free of injuries and colds. The great successes really motivated me to keep working on myself. I’m going into the new season with confidence, I don’t want to be disturbed, and I want to concentrate on my technique and strengths,” and continues:

“In Ruka, the cards are reshuffled every year. After all, everyone works hard over the summer. I like the tracks in Ruka. I’m particularly excited about the pursuit race on Sunday. In skating, I’ve had good competitions there in the past. I hope to show what I’m capable of.”

Friedrich Moch, the winner of the 15km individual race in freestyle technique in Muonio a couple of weekends ago, wants to confirm the good early season form:

“Except for a two-week training break in August, I got through the summer very well. Even if we men didn’t do as well as the women in Beijing, the successes were still a great motivation for the whole team. That showed me that we’re not that far from the top of the world,” says Moch in the press release.

“My goal for Muonio was to collect as many snow kilometers as possible while at the same time ensuring a high quality of training. I felt pretty good the entire two weeks of training. The final competitions confirmed that I’m in good shape at the moment,” and concludes:

“The competitions in Ruka are always a very tough start to the season. The courses are among the most demanding in the World Cup, and it is mostly relatively cold. Of course, I want to try to place myself as far up front as possible and to confirm my good form there.”

Read More: Double Win For Germany In Muonio

On the other hand, the Austrian Team will be represented by only two athletes at the World Cup premiere. 

According to a press release from the Austrian Ski Association, only Teresa Stadlober and Mika Vermeulen will represent Austria at the World Cup in Ruka. After good preparation, both are optimistic about the upcoming season, have set ambitious goals, and will start in all three races in Finland.

The season’s primary goal for the Austrian cross-country skiing star, Teresa Stadlober, is the World Championships in Planica. Still, she agrees the upcoming competition program will be more demanding than ever:

“Ruka is always difficult ground for me, and, as is well known, I usually need a few races before I’m really in competition mode. I will start in all three competitions, and if I finish in the top 15 in the distance races, then I will be very satisfied. Due to the adjusted distances this year, we already have three 20 km races before Christmas. That’s a different burden for us women, and I have to see how well I can get through this intense time,” says Stadlober in the press release.

Mika Vermeulen also looks forward to racing and continuing the good performances from last season. 

“My summer preparation was a bit mixed. I had a few health problems, and then you can tell that it’s going to be difficult to prepare. Things went according to plan from the end of September, and the level was really good again. My training values ​​are absolutely fine, and I’m in good spirits, but it will be exciting. I’ll see where I really stand at the weekend. The season’s highlight will be the World Championships, and I want to do my best there, too,” says Mika Vermeulen.

Here is the Austrian Team for the Ruka World Cup

Women

• Teresa Stadlober 

Men

• Mika Vermeulen

FACTS Ruka World Cup Season 2022/2023

• When: Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27 
• Who: Elite national skiers
• Where: Ruka, Finland
• What: FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Ruka, Finland

PROGRAM

Friday, November 25: Sprint C (More details can be found here)

• 10:00 CET: Sprint Quali C, men 
• 10:00 CET: Sprint Quali C, women
• 12:30 CET: Sprint Final C, men
• 12:30 CET: Sprint Final C, women 

Saturday, November 26: 10km Individual C (More details can be found here)

• 11:00 CET: 10km Individual C, women
• 13:30 CET: 10km Individual C, men

Sunday, November 27: 20km Pursuit F (More details can be found here)

• 12:00 CET: 20km Pursuit F, women
• 13:30 CET: 20km Pursuit F, men

Read More: Cross-Country Skiing Changes And World Cup Calendar For The 2022/2023 Season