Without mass start expert Katharina Hennig, who canceled the ski tour shortly before due to health problems, the German cross-country skiers ran behind the world leaders in the classic mass start over 15 kilometers in Toblach. When the American Jessie Diggins (USA) won, Victoria Carl was the best German and finished in 17th place.
In the picturesque Nordic Arena in Toblach, Diggins provided the next highlight. The American took her second victory in the second race. In the finish sprint, the leader of the Tour standings made a decisive move and relegated Kerttu Niskanen (Finland/+ 0.5 seconds) and Astrid Oeyre Slind (Norway/+ 0.7 seconds) to places.
Stuttering start – but only when it comes to technology
The organizer initially had problems starting. Because the timing was incorrect, the remaining 63 athletes waited an unusually long time for the starting signal. On the track, the favorites Niskanen (Finland) and the two Norwegians Therese Johaug and Slind immediately ignited the turbo in double-deck thrust and hit the tube. While the Scandinavians set the pace, Diggins cleverly stayed in the slipstream, saving energy and having the most energy reserves in the crucial final meters.
Therese Johaug during the second stage of the Tour de Ski
Carl: “I felt bad at the finish”
The speed on the rock-hard, well-prepared surface remained high. This was also felt by the German hopeful Carl, who had often struggled with the mass start in the past and was never able to intervene in the decision in Toblach. The Thuringian only had contact with the top group in the second lap. By the halfway point of the race, Carl was already half a minute behind the best.
In the end, the 29-year-old finished in 17th place. “We weren’t quite there with the skis,” said Carl, who also didn’t feel physically fit: “I felt very bad at the finish”she explained on ZDF. “The technicians are only human. I can’t do it better. The technicians always do their best“, the Thuringian showed understanding for the less than ideal boards.
Carl was the best German in 17th place, but is already a long way behind in the overall tour standings. Sprinter Laura Gimmler came in 19th in the top 20 and was satisfied with that: “That gives joy and courage”she said happily on ZDF. Katherine Sauerbrey (23rd), Helen Hoffmann (26th) and Pia Fink (29) finished in the top 30. Lisa Lohmann finished 36th.
Diggins leads Niskanen
In the overall standings, Diggins leads Niskanen by 38 seconds, Johaug (+1:14 minutes) is sixth. Gimmler is the best DSV runner in 16th place (+2:09). Carl, who fought for a long time for a podium finish last year and ultimately came ninth overall, is already 2:36 minutes behind in 22nd place.
Krehl gets out
The German team had melted further shortly before the second stage: The German Ski Association (DSV) announced that Sofie Krehl would forego further starts. “As a sprinter, the next sprint is in Val di Fiemme and until then there will be some tough distance races that are not necessarily conducive to the further development of sprint performance.”the DSV announced shortly before the race. Krehl wants to focus on the World Championships in Trondheim. Katharina Hennig and Coletta Rydzek had already canceled the Tour de Ski for health reasons.
Cross-country skier Sofie Krehl has dropped out of the Tour de Ski.
The next stops on the Tour de Ski
Dobbiaco
31.12. 11:30 a.m.: Men, interval start 20 km F
December 31st, 2:45 p.m.: Women, interval start 20 km F
01/01, 10:30 a.m.: Men, pursuit 15 km C
01/01, 12:30 p.m.: Women, pursuit 15 km C
Val di Fiemme
January 3rd, 12:15 p.m.: Qualifications women/men, Sprint C
January 3rd, 2:45 p.m.: Finals women/men, Sprint C
January 4th, 11:00 a.m.: Men, Skiathlon 20 km C/F
January 4th, 3:30 p.m.: Women, skiathlon 20 km C/F
January 5th, 2:15 p.m.: Men, mass start, 10 km F (Final Climb)
January 5th, 3:30 p.m.: Women, mass start, 10 km F (Final Climb)