Today, November 28, the traditional Nordic Opening starts in Ruka, Finland, signaling the beginning of a new World Cup ski racing season. Ahead are crucial events leading to the major competition of the quadrennial: the Milan-Cortina 2026 Olympic Games.
The 2025/26 season will consist of 28 individual races, 12 of which will be sprints. Thus, sprint disciplines will make up 39% of the World Cup calendar, a record in history.
Approximately 180 athletes from around the globe are registered for the World Cup opening stage in Ruka, including seven from Ukraine:

• Women: Sofia Shkatula, Anastasia Nikon, Elizabeth Nopriyenko
• Men: Dmytro Dragun, Oleksandr Lisohor, Dmytro Romanchenco, Ruslan Denysenko

Weather conditions remain unpredictable. After a frosty week in the region, a warming trend is expected: temperatures around 0°C are forecasted in the morning before the races, which could complicate track conditions in case of wet snow or rain.
It should be noted that Ukraine has already secured 5 Olympic quotas based on last season's national rankings. Therefore, upcoming events will be crucial in the fight for a spot at the XXV Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina 2026. The athletes who will get the chance to compete in the Games will be determined on January 18, 2026, when the qualification period for obtaining FIS points concludes.
The National Olympic Committee of Ukraine wishes all athletes a successful start and high results in the new season!
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