Aarekol and Vigants crowned as Roller Ski World Cup season ends in Val di Fiemme

The 2026 FIS Roller Ski World Cup has come to an end, with three days of racing in the spectacular surroundings of Val di Fiemme bringing the season to a thrilling conclusion.

From the legendary Alpe Cermis climb to a high-speed 200m sprint and a dramatic Team Sprint in the streets of Ziano di Fiemme, the final weekend delivered action from start to finish.

Aarekol conquers Alpe Cermis

The weekend began with one of the most iconic challenges in Nordic skiing.

The athletes took on the 10km Cermis Final Climb, following the legendary Alpe Cermis ascent that is synonymous with the Tour de Ski in winter.

Norway’s Ragnhild Aarekol proved strongest in the women’s race, taking victory ahead of Italy’s Maria Eugenia Boccardi and Sweden’s Ebba Ekenberg. In the men’s race, another Norwegian, Andreas Bergsland, claimed victory ahead of Germany’s Jonathan Goeppert and Jakob Walther.

Aarekol’s victory also confirmed her position at the top of the overall World Cup standings.

Italian speed in Ziano

Saturday brought a completely different challenge, with the 200m freestyle sprint taking centre stage in Ziano di Fiemme.

The home crowd had plenty to celebrate as Emanuele Becchis and Alba Mortagna took the senior victories. Becchis led an all-Italian men’s podium, while Mortagna won the women’s final ahead of Latvia’s Linda Kaparkaleja and Aarekol.

With the final points decided, the season produced a unique outcome: the overall and sprint Crystal Globes went to the same athlete in both the women’s and men’s categories.

Norway’s Ragnhild Aarekol claimed both women’s titles, while Latvia’s Raimo Vigants took both men’s titles.

Photo: Federica Vanzetta

Vigants finishes in style

The final day brought the Team Sprint, with the season’s last World Cup points decided on the streets of Ziano di Fiemme.

Latvia’s Lauris Kaparkalejs and Raimo Vigants produced a strong finish to take the men’s victory, with Sweden second and Italy third.

In the women’s race, Sweden’s Ebba Stenman and Kajsa Ekenberg claimed victory ahead of Italy and Latvia.

The junior races also provided plenty to celebrate. Latvia’s Bilans-Skujins took the junior men’s Team Sprint, while Norway’s Kjosavik-Lia won the junior women’s race.

For Vigants, it was the perfect way to finish the season. After winning the final Team Sprint, the Latvian star left Val di Fiemme with both the overall World Cup and sprint Crystal Globes.

Junior World Cup podiums

The season also saw the next generation of roller ski athletes battle for the Junior World Cup titles.

In the junior women’s overall standings, Norway’s Emilie Ruud Lia took the Crystal Globe, ahead of compatriot Mille Sophie Aarnes Sveinhaug and Sweden’s Matilda Grahn.

In the junior men’s overall standings, Sweden’s Ville Jutterdal claimed the title, followed by compatriot Theo Malmand Valter Blomberg Gerle.

A season to remember

After opening the World Cup in Trollhättan, continuing with the World Championships in Madona and finally arriving in Val di Fiemme, the 2026 Roller Ski season has taken athletes across three countries and delivered racing in a wide variety of settings.

The final weekend provided a fitting conclusion – from the challenge of Alpe Cermis to the speed of the streets of Ziano di Fiemme.

With the Crystal Globes now decided and Norway crowned the overall Nations Cup winners, the 2026 Roller Ski World Cup season is officially in the books.