First Norway, now also Finland has been affected by corona before this weekend's World Cup premiere in cross-country skiing in Finnish Ruka.

And it's not just anyone who has tested positive for covid-19, it's star Iivo Niskanen, 30.

"The World Cup in Ruka is over for me.

I managed to avoid covid for a long time, but now I got it.

It didn't help that I was as thorough as you can be," he writes on Instagram.

Niskanen had been one of the favorites especially in the 10 kilometer classic style on Saturday.

But the 30-year-old is not alone, as Norway was also affected by covid-19 before the weekend.

On the women's side, Ragnhild Haga tested positive already this weekend and on Tuesday the Norwegian team suffered further when both Marte Skaanes and Sindre Bjørnstad Skar were forced to withdraw due to covid-19.

For Sweden, it is clear that Jonna Sundling will miss the premiere in Ruka due to a cold.

"The positive thing is that it has gone in the right direction and that I feel better.

I long to compete again but I will hurry slowly as my body is my tool to be able to perform.

So then it's important that I listen to it too," Sundling said in a press release on Tuesday.

The goal for the Swede is to be back in Betiostølen, Norway, December 9–11.

CLIP: Calle Halfvarsson's form message - won in Bruksvallarna (November 20, 2022)

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Calle Halfvarsson form report - took the weekend's second win in Bruksvallarna Photo: TT Nyhetsbyrån/Bildbyrån