Linn Svahn had the third fastest time of all, but was still 2.66 seconds behind the qualifying winner, Finnish Jasmi Joensuu. Another home hope, Amanda Saari, had the second-best time.
All six Swedish women advanced to the final round later today. Johanna Hagström finished fifth in the qualifying round (+3.54), Jonna Sundling seventh (+4.18), Maja Dahlqvist ninth (+5.19), and Emma Ribom 18th (+8.23).
Frida Karlsson, who had a successful start to the season when she won Friday's 10-kilometer race in superior style, also advanced as the 20th skier (+8.99).
A Swedish qualifying success. But after the race came negative news about Ribom. She chooses to withdraw.
"Emma has back problems and therefore chooses not to continue today's sprint as a precautionary measure. She will rest this afternoon before we make a decision about tomorrow," says national team coach Stefan Thomson in a statement.
Ribom has won the sprint in Ruka two seasons in a row.
On the men's side, Norwegian star Johannes Høsflot Klæbo was not unexpectedly the fastest.
Behind him, four Swedes advanced to the quarterfinals: Edvin Anger, Marcus Grate, Emil Danielsson, and Oskar Svensson all made it through qualifying.
Anger was the fastest of the Swedish skiers, finishing 15th.
The two last Swedish skiers, Johan Häggström and Måns Skoglund, did not advance among the top 30. Häggström was extremely close and finished in 31st place.
It's damn frustrating, of course. 31st was not where I wanted to end up. And with such small time margins, it's damn frustrating, says Häggström.
The final round begins with quarterfinals at 11:30.
