What a strong performance by the German cross-country relay. Shortly before the World Cup, the DSV quartet set an exclamation point at the World Cup in Dobbiaco and ran to a strong second place.
On Sunday (February 5th, 2023), Laura Gimmler, Katharina Hennig, Pia Fink and Sofia Krehl only had to give way to the Norwegians, who basically have a subscription to winning the relay. Sweden ran in third place. For the German team it was the first relay podium since 2017. The first World Cup victory in the relay since 2007 was even possible. Only in the last few meters did Norway’s anchor Silje Theodorsen decisively break away.
Super start by Laura Gimmler
First runner Laura Gimmler, who actually loves the short distances, surprised everyone. The woman from Oberstdorf kept Heidi Weng (Norway) and the two Swedes Emma Ribom and Dahlqvist in check and actually sent Katharina Hennig out on the track first. However, the distances were narrow. The Swedish teams handed over almost at the same time, Norway was only four seconds behind.
Hennig strong as a bear and at the same time as Andersson
On her lap, Hennig had to deal with the best long-distance runner Ebba Andersson from Team Sweden I, among others. After a weaker performance in the individual over ten kilometers on Saturday, things went much better for the woman from Oberwiesenthal in the relay. In contrast to all other runners, she kept up with the pace of the strong Scandinavian and didn’t let Andersson shake her off. On the finish line, Hennig even tried to pass the Swede, who immediately countered. The leading duo handed over almost at the same time and had gained 13.5 seconds to Norway. The US girls followed in fourth, 41 seconds back.
Fink holds top place
Now it was up to Pia Fink to defend the good starting position. And that was a real chunk. While the Swede Moa Ilar didn’t hit the very high tempo, the world-class athlete Ingvild Flugstad Oestberg for Norway and the American Jessie Diggins made quick starts and made up second by second. Oestberg caught the leading duo quickly and pushed the pace from then on. She wanted to create a gap, but had reckoned without Fink, who was faster than ever in the World Cup. The German did not let herself be shaken off and sent anchor Sofie Krehl into the race in second place, 0.2 seconds behind Norway. The USA and Sweden were already 30 seconds behind.
Krehl finishes on the podium
So there was a strong smell of a big surprise and the first podium since 2017. And Krehl, who had stepped in for the ailing Coletta Rydzek at short notice, delivered! The 27-year-old took turns leading with Norwegian Silje Theodorsen, together they both kept the competitors at bay. One kilometer from the finish, Theodorsen then started and pulled away decisively, Krehl safely finished second and caused boundless cheering.
Men’s relay at the end
After this bang, the German cross-country skiers should look forward to their relay race with great anticipation. From 1 p.m. they will be on the track at the end of the World Cup weekend in Dobbiaco.
Friedrich Moch, who ran into the top ten, ensured a pleasing result from a German point of view. Ninth place jumped out, 22.3 seconds down on the leaders. Jonas Dobler was also able to convince with rank 15 (+35.3). Janosch Brugger and Florian Notz also collected World Cup points as 24th and 28th. Lucas Bögl finished 32nd, Albert Kuchler was 39th.