Cross-country skiing, also known as Nordic skiing, is a winter sport that requires incredible athleticism, endurance, and technique. Skiers propel themselves across snow-covered terrain using skinny skis and poles, with races ranging from sprint events less than 1 km to distance races over 50 km. The cross-country skiing circuit brings together some of the fittest and most skilled athletes in the world. In this article, we’ll profile some of the top cross-country skiers to watch and provide betting insights for the major events.
Contenders for Podium Glory
Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, Norway
Klæbo burst onto the World Cup scene during the 2016-17 season as a 20-year old and has dominated the sprint events ever since. The Norwegian phenomenon already has three Olympic gold medals to his name and has been described as the “Usain Bolt of cross-country skiing” for his explosive speed. Klæbo remains the man to beat in sprints and is always a threat in distance races when he’s motivated.
Alexander Bolshunov, Russia
The 25-year-old Bolshunov has rapidly developed into Klæbo’s main rival. He claimed three medals, including gold in the 50km, at the Beijing Olympics and won the overall and distance World Cup titles last season. Bolshunov has beaten Klæbo in major distance races and also has multiple relay golds for Russia. He’s a versatile skier capable of challenging for any title.
Jessie Diggins, USA
Diggins created history by winning USA’s first ever Olympic cross-country skiing gold medal in 2018, stunningly edging Sweden in the team sprint. She backed that up with individual bronze in 2021. The Minnesota native has also claimed three World Championship medals, including an emotional 2021 gold in the 30km. Now 30, Diggins remains America’s leading contender.
Ebba Andersson, Sweden
Andersson is Sweden’s rising star, having claimed her first individual Olympic medal with 15km silver in Beijing, along with gold in the relay. The 26-year-old has since earned her first two individual World Cup wins and appears poised to contend for more major titles. She’s one to watch.
Major Events on the Cross-Country Calendar
World Cup
The World Cup season runs from late November through March and features races in countries across Europe and North America. In addition to individual results, skiers accrue points for an overall title across all disciplines. There are also sub-titles for sprints, distance, and other brackets.
World Championships
Held in odd years, the World Championships feature the big names competing in both individual and team events. The 50km and 30km are the blue riband races.
Winter Olympics
The Winter Olympics are held every four years, with the next edition in Milan Cortina d’Ampezzo in 2026. Cross-country skiing offers 12 gold medals across men’s, women’s, and mixed team competitions. The grueling 50km/30km events close the program.
Key Betting Facts and Tips
- Norway, Sweden, and Russia have dominated cross-country skiing for decades. Other leading nations include France, Italy, Switzerland, and Finland.
- In sprint betting, focus on proven speed specialists like Klæbo rather than all-rounders. The sprint and team sprint are about raw pace.
- For distance races, consider skiers’ endurance capabilities. Some sprinters struggle over 30km+ while some distance specialists can’t match pure speed.
- Watch out for Fast Finns in the men’s races. Finland’s skiers perform well at major championships and often medal.
- Weather conditions play a huge role, with wax technicians preparing skis. warmer, wetter snow tends to favor stronger athletes.
- In major championships, bet on experienced skiers who have delivered under pressure before. Debutants can struggle handling expectations.
All in all, we’ve covered some key faces to watch in both men’s and women’s cross-country skiing and highlighted the major events that culminate in Olympic glory every four years. While Norwegians like Klæbo and Swedes like Andersson tend to dominate, USA’s Jessie Diggins and other challengers make for fascinating betting possibilities. Doing your research on skiers’ strengths across sprints, distances, and conditions is crucial. It will ensure you can spot value bets and make astute predictions in this compelling winter sport.