ON THE EVE OF THE ROLLERSKI WORLD CUP THE SHOWDOWN IN VAL DI FIEMME

On the eve of the grand finale of the 2026 Rollerski World Cup, Val di Fiemme is ready to host the competition for the coveted crystal globes in the overall and sprint rankings. The races will start tomorrow with the highly anticipated 10 km Mass Start in classic technique on the slopes of Alpe Cermis, with the first starts scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

About 100 of the world’s best roller skiers are expected in the Trentino valley. The spotlight is on Latvian champion Raimo Vigants, the current leader in both the Sprint and overall standings, followed by Thomas Bing (GER) and Simon Karlsson (SWE). On the women’s side, there is great anticipation for Norway’s Ragnhild Aarekol, who is dominating both rankings. Among the top contenders, there are also Sweden’s Kajsa Ekenberg, in second place in the overall ranking, and Ebba Stenman, second in the Sprint ranking. In the Junior category, the men’s competition is dominated by Sweden, with Ville Jutterdal leading both standings, while Norway’s Emilie Ruud Lia is the undisputed leader among women.

The Italian team is also large and highly motivated, and technical director Emanuele Sbabo will be able to count on a total of 23 athletes. Warming up for the Junior category are Maria Invernizzi, Nicole Falanelli, Noemi Parisi, Davide Piccinini, Federico Sartori, Raul Castagna, Alessandro Tazzioli, and Stefano Epis—the latter entering the Olympic Valley ranked fifth overall and sixth in the Sprint. Meanwhile, among the Senior, five-time Sprint World Champion Emanuele Becchis—who is aiming for victory in the speciality—will take to the track, along with Michele Valerio and reigning champion Matteo Tanel. Also at the starting line will be Tommaso Dellagiacoma, Alessio Berlanda, and Giacomo Lorenzetti, as well as Riccardo Lorenzo Masiero, Riccardo Munari, Francesco Chiaradia, and Alessandro Corradi. The contingent will also include Anna Maria Ghiddi, silver medalist in the women’s Team Sprint at the World Championships in Madona, alongside Maria Eugenia Boccardi, who currently holds third place in the overall standings. Rounding out the Italian contingent are Camilla Crippa, Elisabetta Bernardi, and Alba Mortagna, all of whom are on the virtual Sprint podium. This close-knit and talented group will be put to the test on Saturday, starting at 2 p.m. with the thrilling Sprint event, scheduled to take place along the 200-meter straightaway of Via Nazionale in the centre of Ziano di Fiemme, while on Sunday, the Team Sprint, starting at 10 a.m., will bring the 2026 World Cup to a close.

For Nordic Ski Val di Fiemme, the final stage of the Rollerski World Cup will kick off the valley’s season of major sporting events, followed by the Nordic Combined World Cup from December 11 to 13, the Ski Jumping FIS Continental Cup on December 19 and 20, and the 21st Tour de Ski from January 8 to 10, 2027.