1985–86 FIS Cross-Country World Cup

The 1985–86 FIS Cross-Country World Cup was the 5th official World Cup season in cross-country skiing for men and women. The World Cup began in Labrador City, Canada, on 7 December 1985 and finished in Oslo, Norway, on 15 March 1986. Gunde Svan of Sweden won the overall men's cup, and Marjo Matikainen of Finland won the women's.

Before the season began, after several years of disagreements between athletes and federations concerning what styles of skiing should be allowed, it was decided that cross-country skiing should have two disciplines: classical and freestyle. The initiative to this idea was made by the Swedish skier Thomas Wassberg.

Achievements

 * First World Cup career victory:


 * Men
 * 🇸🇪 Torgny Mogren, 22, in his 3rd season - the WC 4 (5 km F) in Bohinj; also first podium
 * Vladimir Smirnov, 21, in his 4th season - the WC 6 (15 km C) in Kavgolovo; first podium was 1983–84 WC 10 (15 km) in Murmansk


 * Women
 * 🇫🇮 Marjo Matikainen, 20, in her 2nd season – the WC 1 (5 km F) in Labrador City; also first podium
 * Gaby Nestler, 18, in her 3rd season – the WC 3 (10 km F) in Les Saisies; also first podium
 * Simone Opitz, 23, in her 2nd season – the WC 4 (20 km F) in Nove Mesto; first podium was 1985–86 WC 3 (10 km F) in Les Saisies
 * 🇳🇴 Marianne Dahlmo, 21, in her 2nd season – the WC 5 (20 km C) in Oberstdorf; first podium was 1984–85 WC 9 (5 km) in Lahti
 * 🇳🇴 Anne Jahren, 22, in her 5th season – the WC 6 (10 km C) in Kavgolovo; first podium was 1982–83 WC 3 (10 km) in Stachy Zadow
 * 🇫🇮 Jaana Savolainen, 23, in her 3rd season – the WC 9 (10 km F) in Oslo; first podium was 1985–86 WC 1 (5 km F) in Labrador City


 * Victories in this World Cup (all-time number of victories as of 1985/86 season in parentheses)


 * Men
 * 🇸🇪 Gunde Svan (SWE), 5 (16) first places
 * 🇸🇪 Torgny Mogren (SWE), 2 (2) first places
 * Vladimir Smirnov, 1 (1) first place
 * 🇸🇪 Thomas Wassberg (SWE), 1 (4) first place


 * Women
 * 🇳🇴 Brit Pettersen (NOR), 2 (8) first places
 * 🇫🇮 Marjo Matikainen (FIN), 2 (2) first places
 * Gaby Nestler, 1 (1) first place
 * Simone Opitz, 1 (1) first place
 * 🇳🇴 Marianne Dahlmo (NOR), 1 (1) first place
 * 🇳🇴 Anne Jahren (NOR), 1 (1) first place
 * 🇫🇮 Jaana Savolainen (FIN), 1 (1) first place