Johanna Matintalo of Finland claimed her maiden FIS Cross-Country World Cup win in the women's 20km mass start classic in Goms, Switzerland, edging out Jessie Diggins of the USA and Astrid Oeyre Slind of Norway. The victory came in the final World Cup race before the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics, highlighting Matintalo's strong form. In the men's race, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo of Norway dominated for his 107th career win.
The FIS Cross-Country World Cup stage in Goms, Switzerland, on January 25, 2026, featured demanding 20km mass start classic races amid snowy conditions on a course with 10 short climbs and gradual descents. In the women's event, 29-year-old Johanna Matintalo timed her sprint perfectly to secure victory by 0.9 seconds over Jessie Diggins, with Slind finishing third, 0.8 seconds further back. A former middle-distance runner, Matintalo had waited over 11 years for her first individual podium since her debut, having previously earned just two more. "Ah finally! I've been pretty close to being on the podium this season but now my first win, so I'm very happy," Matintalo said. "Of course, it's great before the Olympics to be in your best shape of the season."
Early in the race, Slind and Diggins opened a gap, but Karoline Simpson-Larsen, Kerttu Niskanen, Katharina Hennig Dotzler, and Matintalo reeled them in by the second lap. Slind's pace-setting efforts led to a bunch sprint, where Matintalo's burst on the final climb proved decisive. Notable absences included Sweden's Jonna Sundling, Ebba Andersson, and Frida Karlsson, as well as Norway's Heidi Weng, who were preparing for the Olympics.
In the men's race, Johannes Hoesflot Klæbo celebrated his 107th World Cup victory, solidifying his lead in the overall standings. Switzerland's Beda Klee finished 10th, marking his seventh top-10 in distances over 10km and a relief after a mid-season form dip. Klee, who skipped the Tour de Ski, noted the result as a "great relief." Fellow Swiss Nadine Fähndrich placed ninth in the women's race, her third top-10 in long distances, while Anja Weber (19th) and Marina Kälin (21st) contributed to a strong team showing. Kälin met Olympic criteria just in time. These results position several athletes as contenders for medals at the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics, starting February 8 with the men's skiathlon.
