Ruka sensation: “It means everything”

Traditional skiing

Ruka sensation: “It means everything”

by Ingeborg Scheve • 29.11.2025

Member Article

Photo: Modica/NordicFocus

He had never been on a World Cup podium – until Friday. The 26-year-old from Ramsau, Austria, delivered a breakthrough performance in Ruka, surprising many with his level of performance. What happened there?

After crossing the finish line, he stands in the finish area looking at the results board. He cannot believe that what he sees is correct: for a couple of minutes, Mika Vermeulen sits at the top of the standings as the leader of Friday’s 10km classic in Ruka.

Johannes Høsflot Klæbo and Martin Løwstrøm Nyenget, who started behind Vermeulen, barely manage to edge past the Austrian.

But Vermeulen delivers the race of his life and claims the first World Cup podium of his career. The 26-year-old from Ramsau, Austria, finishes just two seconds behind Klæbo and four seconds behind Nyenget.

Also Read: Nyenget wins Ruka 10km classic

What does this mean for you?
“It means everything!”

A milestone

The third place in the classic race in Ruka is a milestone for the ambitious Austrian on multiple levels. First, it is his first-ever World Cup podium. But it is also confirmation that the changes he has made are paying off.

“I put in a lot of effort, so when it works out like it did today, it’s just an unbelievably good feeling,” Vermeulen tells Langrenn.com.

But why is this happening right now?

“I’ve trained a lot this year and stayed healthy through the summer and autumn. The test results show that I’ve taken quite a big step since last year, and I managed to show that today as well.”

At the same time, Vermeulen admits he did not see this podium coming. Not in a 10km classic individual start. And not after the dress rehearsal he delivered at the season opener in Beitostølen last weekend. There, he finished 19th in the same discipline, more than a minute behind Klæbo.

“To be honest, after Beitostølen? Not really. I thought I would be happy with a top 10. But a podium – that tastes so good,” Vermeulen says.

Took a hard look at his own approach

After the World Championships in Trondheim, the Austrian was clear that he needed to reassess his entire setup.

“I completely missed at the World Championships. I’m not good enough when it matters the most. So, I’m very disappointed. I was top 10 twice and 13th in the 50km. That wasn’t what I wanted,” Vermeulen told Langrenn.com after the Trondheim World Championships.

So, he went home and made changes. Last year, Vermeulen was at his best before Christmas and strong in the Tour de Ski. Then things gradually unraveled over the winter, ending in disappointment in Trondheim.

“That won’t happen again,” he said firmly.

“I’ve learned from my mistakes. In addition to training hard and a lot, I’ve trained smartly. And I’ve made good decisions. Now I really want a medal, and it’s an Olympic year. That fits very well,” Vermeulen tells Langrenn.com.

The World Cup opener in Ruka continues with a classic sprint on Saturday, and a 20km freestyle mass start on Sunday.

Also Read – Cross-country World Cup: Complete program for Ruka

FACTS Ruka World Cup Season 2025/2026

When: Friday, November 28 to Sunday, November 30
Who: Elite national skiers – women and men
Where: Ruka, Finland
What: FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Ruka, Finland

PROGRAM

Friday, November 28: 10km Interval Start Classic (More details can be found HERE)

10:30 CET: 10km Individual C, Women
13:15 CET: 10km Individual C, Men

Saturday, November 29: Sprint Classic (More details can be found HERE)

8:55 CET: Sprint Qualify C, Women
8:55 CET: Sprint Qualify C, Men
11:25 CET: Sprint Final C, Women
11:25 CET: Sprint Final C, Men

Sunday, November 30: 20km Mass Start Freestyle (More details can be found HERE)

10:00 CET: 20km Mass Start F, Men
11:45 CET: 20km Mass Start F, Women

After Ruka, the World Cup heads to Norway (Trondheim). Then, to Switzerland (Davos) and the Tour de Ski (Italy). This period is followed by competitions in January in Germany (Oberhof) and Switzerland (Goms).

Then, it’s time for the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympic Games from February 7 to 22, 2026.

After Milano-Cortina, the World Cup ends the season with weekends in Sweden (Falun), Finland (Lahti), Norway (Drammen-Oslo), and the USA (Lake Placid).

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