Moa Ilar Secures Second Place at Davos World Cup 10 km Freestyle

Swedish skier Moa Ilar delivered an impressive performance at the Davos World Cup 2025, finishing second in the 10 kilometer freestyle event. The race saw Norwegian Karoline Simpson-Larsen clinch her first World Cup victory, crossing the finish line just two seconds ahead of Ilar. Ilar, reflecting on the challenging conditions, highlighted the high altitude as a significant factor but remained composed throughout, saying, "It was really tight. It was special to hear after the first lap that I was four seconds behind a French skier, but I continued with my plan." She expressed satisfaction with her podium finish, noting, "Finally!" as she prepared to enjoy the Christmas break.

Notably absent from the competition were prominent Swedish skiers Frida Karlsson, Ebba Andersson, and Jonna Sundling, who had completed her sprint events earlier in the weekend. Maja Dahlqvist was the only Swedish athlete to compete in all races during the event, narrowly missing the podium by finishing fourth, just behind Norway’s Astrid Öyre Slind who took third place. Dahlqvist expressed surprise at her close finish, questioning, "Am I really coming fourth?"

The event marked a breakthrough moment for Simpson-Larsen, who candidly commented on her unexpected win, "I am in shock. I can't believe it." Meanwhile, Ilar emphasized the race's difficulty due to the altitude and the need to summon willpower in the final kilometers, showcasing resilience against strong competition.