The Norwegian Astrid Øyre Slind won the Birkebeiner race in Norway by a huge one minute and defended her title in the traditional 54-kilometer race.
Slind needed 2:50:46.7 hours for the route from Rena to Lillehammer and was almost exactly 60 seconds faster than second-placed Swede Ida Dahl, who was still in the lead after 20 kilometers on the legendary Raufjellet. Magni Smedås (Norway) finished third.
At the women’s 50 km World Cup debut last weekend in Oslo, long-distance specialist Slind lost to her compatriot Ragnhild Glöersen Haga in the final sprint.
Wasalauf winner Emilie Fleten (Norway), who had previously been considered the big favorite to win the “Birken”, finished fifth in Lillehammer on Saturday.
The men’s race offered significantly more drama. Because after 54 kilometers the decision within the leading group of four was only made in the final sprint.
The Norwegian Andreas Nygaard finished in 2:24:58.4 hours, just a blink ahead of his compatriots Johan Hoel and Runar Skaug Mathisen. Magnus Vesterheim (also Norway) was left with the thankless fourth place.
It was Nygaard’s first win of the season. His joy was correspondingly great. “It was really fun. It was a great day and a real ski race. Plus the first win of the year. It tastes really good,” said the 32-year-old happily.
Traditional race with a special history
The Birkebeiner race is a traditional cross-country race in Norway that has been held since 1932. It stretches over a distance of 54 kilometers with several hundred meters of difference in altitude and leads from Rena to Lillehammer
The route is run in classic style. In addition, all participants must carry a backpack weighing at least 3.5 kg at the start and finish, which must contain protective clothing.
The race commemorates the legendary escape of skiers in 1206, who brought the Norwegian king’s son, Håkon Håkonsson, to safety from the insurgent Birkebeiners. Today the Birkebeiner race is a popular winter sports event with participants from all over the world.