Teemu Pasanen estimates that Kerttu Niskanen, who skied without the help of a skier, took the jacket on stage 3/7 of the Tour de Ski.
– It’s a bit sad, says the head coach of the cross country team Teemu Pasanen.
Just like the Norwegians who skied ahead of Kerttu Niskanen in the 20 km free split start Astrid Slind and Therese Johaug they got traction help and pees benefit, the Finn skated alone the whole way.
– There was no help for Kertu. In Kärkipää, everyone else got to come in groups. Of course, it’s great to be among the three, but it could have been a little better, Pasanen announced.
At the intermediate point of 10.6 kilometers, Johaug led Niska by 0.7 seconds. Slind was the top woman, 16.3 seconds behind.
The first half of the race went uphill and the second half downhill.
– Johaug and Slind finished really hard and they had friends. It’s always faster when you can come in a group.
“Two better”
Kerttu Niskanen did not receive any traction aids. Jussi Saarinen
In the finish, Slind was first, Johaug second (+3.3) and Niskanen third (+20.3).
– Kerttu came downhill very alone, quite a bit Victoria Carlia faster, and Carl was in the group, Pasanen reminded.
At the halfway point, the German was 3.8 seconds behind the Finn and at the finish line 7.5 seconds.
– I had to ski alone the whole way. The place was what it was and it belongs in the game. The time differences are such that there were two better ones today. Of course, a few seconds could have been taken away, Niskanen said, and did not hesitate.
– You have to be satisfied, he added.
In the struggle for victory
After 3/7 stages of the Tour, Niskanen is strongly in the fight for victory.
Thinking ahead, the Finn’s two most challenging distances on this tour, the free sprint and the free normal distance, have now been skied.
– Is that victory completely possible. On Wednesday it is possible to make a difference with the butt and it may be that tomorrow Jessie Diggins got caught, Pasanen cheers.
Jenkki leads the Finn by 22 seconds in the combined times of the Tour. Slind is 32 seconds ahead and Johaug 41 seconds behind.
– There are good trips to Kertu in Val di Fiemme. But there are many races left and situations can change quickly.
On the first day of 2025, a 15-kilometer traditional style pursuit will be skied at the Tour. The competition starts based on Tuesday’s results.
THE FACTS
Women 20 km (y), split start
Score
1. Astrid Slind (NOR), 48.54,9
2. Therese Johaug (NOR), +3.3
3. Kerttu Niskanen, +20.3
4. Katharine Stewart-Jones (CAN), +27.8
4. Victoria Carl (GER), +27.8
6. Jessie Diggins (USA), +36.3
7. Heidi Weng (NOR), +44.9
8. Moa Ilar (SWE), +57.8
9. Kristin Fosnæs (NOR), +1.00,1
10. Sophia Laukli (USA), +1.07,2
11. Krista Pärmäkoski, +1.07,2
—-
16. Jasmi Joensuu, +1.39,0
24. Johanna Matintalo, +2.07,2
41. Jasmin Kähärä, +3.06,9