Ruka World Cup: Preview, start lists, and start times for the 10km classic race

Traditional skiing

Ruka World Cup: Preview, start lists, and start times for the 10km classic race

by Leandro Lutz • 24.11.2023

Photo: Kalle Parkkinen/Bildbyrån

Everything is ready for the 10km race at the World Cup premiere in Ruka, Finland. Here, you can find the preview, start lists, and start times for Saturday’s 10km classic races.

The World Cup premiere is taking place this weekend in Ruka, Finland. Here, you can find the preview, start lists, and start times for Saturday’s 10km individual start races in classic technique.

Ruka, Finland, is the place for this year’s cross-country skiing World Cup premiere. The event starts on Friday, November 24, with a sprint race in classic technique. On Saturday, November 25, a 10km classic style race with individual start awaits. And on Sunday, November 26, the World Cup premiere weekend ends with a 20km mass start race in freestyle technique.

See the complete program for the World Cup premiere at the end of the article.

Saturday, November 25: 10km Individual C

10:00 CET: 10km Individual C, Women
12:15 CET: 10km Individual C, Men

Start Lists can be found HERE for women and HERE for men

More information can be found HERE

Women’s 10km classic – Preview

Last season’s distance champion, Kerttu Niskanen (FIN), eyes a historic back-to-back win in the crystal globe, a feat unseen since Therese Johaug in 2018/2019 – 2019/2020. Niskanen, who secured the 2022/2023 globe with just two wins, showcases prowess in the 10km classic style, seeking to triumph on home snow, emulating Krista Pärmäkoski’s 2018 victory. Meanwhile, Jessie Diggins (USA) aims for her maiden Finnish victory, having claimed 15 World Cup wins across seven nations, with none in classic style. Keep an eye on contenders Astrid Øyre Slind (NOR), Heidi Weng (NOR), Frida Karlsson (SWE), and Ebba Andersson (SWE). Karlsson and Andersson, though podium stars seek redemption in the distance standings.

Men’s 10km classic – Preview

Pål Golberg (NOR), last season’s distance crystal globe victor, enters the race with a 104-point lead over Johannes Høsflot Klæbo (NOR). Golberg’s strategic eight podiums, including three wins, surpassed Klæbo’s impressive ten podiums and nine victories. At 32 years, Golberg secured his globe, ranking as the second-oldest male winner after Pietro Piller Cottrer (ITA). Norway’s dominance is evident with 17 consecutive wins, spearheaded by Klæbo’s triumph in last season’s 10km classic style. Keep an eye on contenders like Iivo Niskanen (FIN), Didrik Tønseth (NOR), Simen Hegstad Krüger (NOR), Emil Iversen (NOR), and William Poromaa (SWE), as they add intrigue to this thrilling competition.