The 2024/2025 FIS Cross-Country World Cup is currently underway, with the scenic backdrop of Davos, Switzerland, hosting this thrilling stage. The event, spanning from December 13 to December 15, brings together elite cross-country skiers from across the globe to compete at the highest level. Notably, it featured both men’s and women’s sprint races, which were held under near-perfect conditions, allowing some of the sport's biggest names to shine brightly.
On December 14, the spotlight was on Johannes Høsflot Klæbo from Norway, who continued to prove why he is hailed as one of the greatest sprinters of all time. Klæbo's dominance during this season was on full display as he secured his third individual sprint win of the season at Davos. He showcased his skill during the qualifications, taking the top spot with a remarkable time of 2:22.26, well over one second quicker than his nearest competitor, Lucas Chanavat from France, who clocked 2:23.49.
“It was amazing,” Klæbo expressed after his victory. “It’s so much fun racing here, I just like the place.” His win added to the momentum he built earlier on December 13 during the team sprint event, where he also played a key role, helping Norway secure the first position.
While Klæbo stormed through the competition, the race for the podium was intense. Following Chanavat in second place was Edvin Anger from Sweden, who finished third. Norwegian skiers quickly filled out the top positions, with Håvard Solås Taugbøl finishing fifth, demonstrating the strength of the Nordic athletes throughout the race.
Klæbo's victory margin was significant; he finished the final heat comfortably with 1.38 seconds to spare, which he later attributed to strategic pacing throughout all his heats, waiting to make his decisive move until later laps. The final result showed his extraordinary talent and highlighted the fierce competition among the sprinters.
Across the women's events, Jonna Sundling of Sweden also emerged victorious, solidifying her reputation as one of the most formidable sprinters today. She anchored her team's performance the previous day and carried the momentum forward, winning the individual race with ease. Sundling's qualification time had showcased her prowess, as she finished four seconds faster than any other competitor. Her stunning performance saw her finishing the race solidly with a time of 2:44.9, well outpacing her rivals.
“Oh, it was really fun and I haven’t been this happy in Davos so it’s really nice to be successful,” Sundling said. With this victory, she achieved her 11th individual World Cup win and finally claimed her first spot on the podium at Davos—a place she had not conquered before.
But it wasn’t just national pride fueling the competition; for many athletes, like Mathilde Myhrvold from Norway, solid performances brought them closer to achieving their personal goals, including qualifying for the World Championships. Myhrvold finished second behind Sundling, her success indicative of her improving form and determination. She expressed excitement over her podium place, albeit with some discomfort after struggling physically post-race.
Despite the high-energy performances, there were setbacks as well. Håvard Solås Taugbøl faced disappointment after colliding with another competitor early on, which caused him to eliminate himself from the race. Niklas Dyrhaug, the commentator at Viaplay, noted, “Top-level sports can be brutal,” reflecting on the pressures athletes face during such pivotal moments.
The 2024/2025 FIS Cross-Country World Cup continues on December 15 with the 20km interval start classic races for both men and women, and the anticipation for these events is palpable. These races will be pivotal for athletes as they strive for valuable points and positions leading up to the World Championships.
Overall, the sprint races at Davos encapsulate the excitement and unpredictability of the sport, highlighted by spectacular performances and unforeseen challenges. Every athlete is not only racing for glory but also aiming for recognition and success on the world stage, setting the tone for the remainder of this gripping season.
