Norway, Finland and France have revealed their teams for the upcoming Cross-Country Skiing World Cup in Lahti, Finland. The event features sprint races on March 7 and individual distance events on March 8. Norway's squad is led by Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo, while Finland fields a large home contingent including stars like Iivo Niskanen and Krista Pärmäkoski.
The Norwegian Ski Association announced a 25-strong squad for the Lahti World Cup on March 2, 2026, with overall leader Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo included despite recent fatigue. The men's team features athletes such as Harald Oestberg Amundsen, Even Northug, and Even Solem Michelsen, while the women's side includes Kristine Stavaas Skistad, Tiril Udnes Weng, and Heidi Weng.
Finland, as the host nation, has expanded its selection to 38 competitors to meet national quotas, allowing 12 skiers per race. The Finnish Ski Association unveiled the lineup on the same day, highlighting stars like Iivo Niskanen, Lauri Vuorinen, Jasmi Joensuu, and Krista Pärmäkoski in what is reported as her last home competition. Other notable men's entrants include Joni Mäki and Ristomatti Hakola, with women such as Kerttu Niskanen and Johanna Matintalo also selected.
France's Ski Federation confirmed 12 athletes for Lahti, with three-time Olympic silver medallist Mathis Desloges absent as expected. Changes in the women's team saw Juliette Ducordeau and Delphine Claudel return home, replaced by Julie Pierrel and Cloé Pagnier. The men's group comprises Rémi Bourdin, Lucas Chanavat, Jules Chappaz, Mattéo Correia, Victor Cullet Calderini, Hugo Lapalus, Théo Schely, and Victor Lovera, alongside women Mélissa Gal and Léna Quintin.
The competition schedule includes free technique (FT) men's and women's sprint qualifiers at 9:00 a.m. and finals at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 7. On Sunday, March 8, the women's 10 km classic technique (CT) starts at 10:30 a.m., followed by the men's 10 km CT at 12:15 p.m.
