Victoria Carl showed a strong performance in the 20-kilometer race in Ruka. It only has to be torn down in the last few meters.
With the surprising victory of Sweden’s Moa Ilor, Victoria Carl gave the German cross-country skiers another top 10 result.
Carl fought for a place on the podium for a long time and in the end had to settle for eighth place. Pia Fink and Katharina Hennig finished in 16th and 18th place.
Moa Ilor outplays Andersson and Karlsson
The two Americans Jessie Diggins and Rosie Brennen also completed the podium somewhat unexpectedly. The favored Swedes Ebba Andersson and Frida Karlsson, who celebrated a double success over 10 kilometers on Saturday, came away empty-handed with fifth and sixth place.
Classical music specialist Laura Gimmler watched from outside in arctic temperatures of minus 16 degrees. “The conditions are extremely tough”said Gimmler, who deliberately skipped the skating race: “On the one hand, it’s very draining, and on the other hand, the skis run much slower.”
Victoria Carl starts with “total” anticipation
Carl still had himself “total” looking forward to her favorite long distance in free style. “I want to play to my strengths again – and would like to achieve my first individual podium“, said the 28-year-old to the sports show. Hennig, on the other hand, said that she “A bit at loggerheads with the 20 kilometer race” stand.
Sofie Krehl had to stop the race after just one kilometer. Until the end of the race, nothing was known about the reasons for the early exit. Meanwhile, Carl was running at the head of the field, and Hennig and Fink also kept up until the middle of the race.
Swedes tear the field apart
Then the Swedish duo Andersson and Karlsson pulled in and tore the main group apart; Fink and Hennig had to be demolished. Carl was able to keep up easily and was in third place after 10 kilometers.
A top group with around a dozen athletes emerged on the demanding route. The first part of the 2.5 kilometer long lap was uphill, and on the following descent the athletes reached up to 75 km/h.
The closer it got to the finish, the more often the lead changed hands in the race. On the last short, steep slope, Moa Ilor cleared the decisive two meters and was able to celebrate in the final sprint. Carl was a bit trapped in this situation and couldn’t do anything anymore.
Strong weekend from Hennig and Carl
Hennig attracted attention with two top 10 placements on Friday and Saturday. As a semi-finalist in the sprint and with fifth place in the ten kilometer classic, the Oberwiesenthal native registered among the world’s best. Her Beijing gold partner, Victoria Carl, also made a good impression.
The cross-country skiing team of national coach Peter Schlickenrieder will continue next weekend in similarly arctic conditions. On the first weekend of Advent, the World Cup stops in Gällivare in Lapland, Sweden.
The German squad from Ruka/Kuusamo:
Women: Victoria Carl (Zella-Mehlis), Pia Fink (Bremelau), Laura Gimmler (Oberstdorf), Katharina Hennig (Oberwiesenthal), Sofie Krehl (Oberstdorf), Lisa Lohmann (Oberhof), Coletta Rydzek (Oberstdorf), Katherine Sauerbrey (Steinbach-Hallenberg). )
Men: Lucas Bögl (Gaißach), Janosch Brugger (Schluchsee), Albert Kuchler (Lam), Florian Notz (Römerstein), Anian Sossau (Iron Doctor), Jan Stölben (Ernstberg)