Sweden's Jonna Sundling topped the women's skate sprint qualifiers at the Cross-Country Skiing World Cup in Lahti, Finland, on March 7, 2026, with compatriot Linn Svahn in second. Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo was fastest in the men's event, followed by France's Lucas Chanavat. Finals are set to begin later in the day.
The Cross-Country Skiing World Cup resumed in Lahti, Finland, on March 7, 2026, with skate sprint qualifiers under sunny conditions. The women's event started at 9:00 a.m., where Jonna Sundling of Sweden returned after skipping the previous stage in Falun and clocked the quickest time. She finished 2.34 seconds ahead of Olympic champion Linn Svahn, also from Sweden, with Johanna Hagstroem third at 4.26 seconds behind. Andorra's Gina del Rio placed fourth, ahead of the United States' Jessie Diggins in fifth and Germany's Coletta Rydzek in sixth. Canada's Liliane Gagnon was seventh, Norway's Julie Myhre eighth, Switzerland's Nadine Faehndrich—set to retire at season's end—ninth, and Norway's Kristine Stavaas Skistad tenth.
Among the French women, Mélissa Gal from Montblanc qualified in 20th place, the only representative advancing to the finals. Julie Pierrel finished 35th and Léna Quintin 38th, both eliminated. Local favorite Jasmi Joensuu of Finland was also knocked out in 34th.
The men's qualifiers followed at 9:35 a.m., dominated by Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo, who emerged as the clear favorite for the later stages. France's Lucas Chanavat secured second, building on his recent final in Falun. Italy's Federico Pellegrino took third, with compatriot Jules Chappaz fourth, just ahead of Switzerland's Valerio Grond in fifth. Norway's Harald Oestberg Amundsen was sixth, Spain's Jaume Pueyo seventh, the United States' Gus Schumacher eighth, Germany's Jan Stoelben ninth, and Italy's Michael Hellweger tenth.
Other French men faltered: Rémi Bourdin placed 39th, Victor Cullet Calderini 45th, Victor Lovera 55th, and Mattéo Correia 57th, failing to advance. The men's finals are scheduled to start at 11:30 a.m., promising intense competition among the top qualifiers.
