Sweden's Jonna Sundling claimed victory in the women's freestyle sprint at the FIS Cross Country World Cup in Lahti, Finland, on March 7, 2026, marking her third win of the season. She overcame tricky icy conditions to dominate the final ahead of compatriot Linn Svahn and Germany's Coletta Rydzek. The result tightens the battles for both the sprint and overall Crystal Globes with few races left.
The World Cup season returned to Finland for the Lahti stage, where the women's freestyle sprint unfolded under sunny but challenging conditions. Sundling, who missed the previous race in Falun due to a cold, topped the qualification and advanced through the heats with authority. In the quarterfinal, she finished second after a strong final straight, followed by a flawless semifinal. She then led from the start in the final, holding off Svahn for second and Rydzek for third. Johanna Hagström of Sweden took fourth in a photo finish, with Moa Ilar fifth and Mathilde Myhrvold sixth.
Sundling described the track as deceptive: “It seems so nice, but when you ski it’s like icing underneath.” She added, “I’m super motivated. It’s my favorite time of the year,” highlighting the stakes for the Crystal Globes. Early exits by sprint leaders Maja Dahlqvist of Sweden and Nadine Fähndrich of Switzerland in the quarterfinals added intrigue to the globe race.
For the United States, Jessie Diggins reached the quarterfinals but was edged out by Hagström in the final meters after a bold attack on the climb. Diggins noted, “I feel like I skied a pretty good race... But I just don’t quite have that ultimate power, especially in the finishing stretch.” Rosie Brennan also exited in the quarters, while Lauren Jortberg placed 37th in qualification, citing illness and tricky snow: “There was kind of an ice sheet underneath with some sugar on top.” Julia Kern finished 44th and Emma Albrecht 48th.
Canada's Liliane Gagnon took third in her quarterfinal, missing semifinals advancement. Olivia Bouffard-Nesbitt and Katherine Weaver placed 43rd and 46th in qualification. France's Mélissa Gal ended 22nd after a fifth-place quarterfinal finish.
With races remaining, Lahti's outcomes could influence final standings, as Sundling looks ahead: “I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
