Jonna Sundling Triumphs in Norway's Drammen

Sundling snatches victory in Drammen sprint

Jonna Sundling wins women's sprint classical at Drammen leg of FIS Cross-Country World Cup, beating Kristine Stavas Skistad and Nadine Fahndrich. Johannes Hosflot Klæbo crashes out of men's competition.

The home crowd's hopes for a Johannes Hosflot Klæbo win were dashed as the Winter Olympics' most decorated...

Jonna Sundling secured a thrilling win for Sweden in the women's sprint classical at the Drammen leg of the FIS Cross-Country World Cup, edging out home favorite Kristine Stavas Skistad by 0.77 seconds. Sundling's time was 2:59.64, with Nadine Fahndrich taking third place.

This victory marks Sundling's fifth win of the season and fourth in sprint races. The Swede showed impressive strength, overtaking Skistad on the final uphill stretch to claim the top spot.

Sweden's hopes in Drammen hinged on Sundling and Johanna Hagstrom, their last two in contention, after Linn Svahn and sprint leader Maja Dahlqvist crashed out in the semis. USA's Jessie Diggins, the overall World Cup leader, also went out early.

Skistad shot off the start line, with Sundling hot on Laura Gimmler's heels, vying for second spot in the first uphill section. Sundling and Hagstrom banged patience, waiting for their moment to strike.

Gimmler suddenly unleashed a burst of speed, forcing the favourites to react. As she took the penultimate turn wide, Sundling and Skistad seized the opportunity, swooping in on the inside.

Jonna Sundling snatched victory from Kristine Stavas Skistad's grasp on Norwegian soil, out-sprinting the local favorite on the final uphill stretch. Sundling had drawn level with Skistad in the home straight, but Skistad regained the lead momentarily. However, Sundling had one last push left, securing Sweden's win.

Johanna Hagstrom finished fourth, ahead of Laura Gimmler, while Ane Appelkvist Stenseth took sixth place for Norway. Sundling's win marks her fifth victory this season and fourth in sprint races.

Not in skate guys, but in classic! 🤯 Sundling snatches the win from Skistad right on the line in her home city 🥶

🥇Jonna Sundling 🇸🇪
🥈Kristine S. Skistad 🇳🇴
🥉Nadine Faehndrich 🇨🇭 #fiscrosscountry #wintersport #worldcupdrammen pic.twitter.com/ENJVShxzTb

— FIS Cross-Country (@FISCrossCountry) March 12, 2026

The home crowd's hopes for a Johannes Hosflot Klæbo win were dashed as the Winter Olympics' most decorated athlete crashed out in his semi-final. Neither he nor Ben Ogden (USA) finished the race.

Not in skate guys, but in classic! 🤯 Sundling snatches the win from Skistad right on the line in her home city 🥶

🥇Jonna Sundling 🇸🇪
🥈Kristine S. Skistad 🇳🇴
🥉Nadine Faehndrich 🇨🇭 #fiscrosscountry #wintersport #worldcupdrammen pic.twitter.com/ENJVShxzTb

— FIS Cross-Country (@FISCrossCountry) March 12, 2026

Klæbo's mishap paved the way for others to shine in the men's competition. 

Anton Grahn's semi-final win was overshadowed by a shocking fall in the final, leaving him 50 seconds behind the pack. The Swede's slip-up handed Norway a win, with Ansgar Evensen taking the top spot.

Evensen beat Jiri Tuz (Czech Republic) to the line, delighting the Drammen crowd. Next up, the Cross-Country World Cup heads to Oslo for the 50km mass starts on March 14th.