Norway's Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo secured his sixth overall World Cup crystal globe with a dominant win in the men's 10km classic interval start at the FIS Cross-Country World Cup in Lahti, Finland, on March 8, 2026. In the women's race, Sweden's Frida Karlsson overcame a stumble to claim victory ahead of compatriot Linn Svahn and American Jessie Diggins. The results highlighted ongoing Norwegian and Swedish strength in the season's closing stages.
The FIS Cross-Country World Cup stage in Lahti concluded on Sunday with individual classic races under bright sunshine. In the men's 10km event, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo of Norway extended his winning streak to ten consecutive victories, finishing in 23 minutes 22.6 seconds. His compatriot Martin Loewstroem Nyenget took second place, 22.1 seconds behind, while Saveliy Korostelev of AIN earned his first World Cup podium in third at 33.9 seconds back. Finland's Arsi Ruuskanen and Iivo Niskanen followed in fourth and fifth.
Klæbo's triumph, his sixth Big Crystal Globe after wins in 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023, and 2025, matched compatriot Bjoern Dæhlie's record. With five races remaining, he leads Harald Østberg Amundsen by an insurmountable 646 points. 'It’s always hard. The last Lahti turn is always difficult,' Klæbo said, noting fatigue but satisfaction with the atmosphere.
The day marked an emotional farewell for Finland's Perttu Hyvärinen, who finished 27th in his final World Cup race. Coach Ville Oksanen praised him as a 'team builder'.
In the women's 10km classic, Frida Karlsson of Sweden won in 25:57.6 despite slipping midway. Linn Svahn led early but finished 4.1 seconds behind, with Jessie Diggins third at 6.2 seconds back—her first podium in this format and 90th overall. 'I was sick after the Olympics but I was excited to keep on racing,' Karlsson said. Diggins maintained leads in overall (264 points over Moa Ilar) and distance standings.
Dariya Nepryaeva (AIN) placed fourth, Heidi Weng (Norway) fifth, and Jonna Sundling (Sweden) sixth. Among French skiers, Hugo Lapalus was best at 12th in the men's race, while Cloé Pagnier led the women in 32nd.
