13:26
Button further forward
Behind Knopf, the Swedes Alvar Myhlback and Jesper Persson follow closely behind. Finnish cross-country skiing fans are happy about Perttu Hyvärinen’s fourth place.
13:24
Best time for Knopf
Then Florian Knopf is measured for the first time. And the 26-year-old German sets the fastest time, five seconds faster than Johansson.
13:22
It’s significantly faster
When Adam Fellner shows up at the first timing, things immediately pick up speed. After 1.1 kilometers that’s already half a minute. But the Czech is then immediately overtaken – by Luke Jager and Leo Johansson.
1:20 p.m
Peruvian initially the fastest
Victor Domingo Olsgard from Peru turned out to be the fastest runner of the outsiders in the first intermediate time.
1:20 p.m
Knopf is the first German to get started
When it is the turn of the nations that are more interested in cross-country skiing, the first German, Florian Knopf, is ready.
13:16
Exotics at the start
At the beginning, some exotic cars take part in the race in light snowfall. There are nations like the Philippines, Peru, Israel, Venezuela and Ecuador.
1:15 p.m
start
At this moment, Tucker Murphy opens the cross-country skiers’ first competition of the season. The American native is 44 years old when he competes for Bermuda.
13:14
Favorites
Traditionally, the favorites are found in large numbers among the Norwegians. Of course, towering over everyone is the five-time overall World Cup winner Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, who is at the top of the list in almost every race he takes part in. Looking at the other nations, we have the Swede Edvin Anger on our radar, who earned his second place in the overall World Cup through great consistency and with only a few outliers. Looking at last year, a Finn should also be mentioned. Iivo Niskanen triumphed over the classic ten kilometers here at the start of last season.
1:09 p.m
Federal trio
Swiss-Ski is sending three runners into the race. Beda Klee and Jason Rüesch start directly behind each other (start interval 30 seconds). We also expect Valerio Grond from the Swiss side.
12:59
Vermeulen is the only Austrian
Individual fighter Mika Vermeulen will be at the start for Austria at 1:36 p.m. CET. The only ÖSV hope has already indicated in the recent past that he is capable of great feats – not least as second in the last Tour de Ski.
12:49
German quintet
The first German starter will be Florian Knopf, who is scheduled to start his seventh World Cup race at 1:20 p.m. CET. The 26-year-old is followed by the established Janosch Brugger and Friedrich Moch. In addition, it is only Elias Keck’s seventh individual competition as part of the World Cup on the program. Jan Stölben is also looking forward to the start.
12:39
Daily task
Like the women, the men also go on a 4,854 meter long lap and have to complete it twice, which brings the competition distance to 9,708 meters. 109 athletes from 34 nations want to take on this task.
12:29
New season with highlights
In this Olympic season, the signs at the beginning of the winter are similar to those for women. Some still have to qualify for the highlight of the season. And the really strong runners also look at how they can get into top shape in February. So it remains to be seen who will be really competitive at the end of November. But of course a World Cup race is also a worthwhile goal. And at the turn of the year, the Tour de Ski is also on the program.
12:19
Tervetuloa!
Welcome to the start of the World Cup for cross-country skiers! The men are now getting started in Ruka, Finland, and have to compete in a classic race with an interval start over ten kilometers from 1:15 p.m. CET.