Simen Hegstad Krüger has won the Norwegian championship with international participation. Only 36 runners competed in the second 50 within six days. The race was a very special one for Jonas Dobler.
On Saturday (03/11/2023) Norway celebrated a tenfold victory in front of their home fans. Without exception, cross-country skiers from the host country landed in the first ten places. The fastest was Krüger, who completed the 50 kilometers in freestyle in 1:55:01.5 hours. The nine-time World Cup winner prevailed against Hans Christer Holund in the final meters. Martin Löwström Nyenget stormed into third place (+12.6 seconds)
Dobler best German at the farewell race
Jonas Dobler, who chose the legendary marathon at Holmenkollen for his farewell race, apparently likes torment. The 32-year-old from Traunstein had fun for 33 kilometers in the leading group, after that the pace got too high. Dobler fell back, but with 16th place he fulfilled his self-imposed goal of being in the top 20. Dobler was also the best German with that.
For a long time it looked as if Florian Notz, who had missed the World Championships in Planica, was the strongest. But Notz broke down in the last few kilometers and crept to the finish line in 19th place. Lucas Bögl didn’t have the best day and fell behind after just 13 kilometers. He struggled at the end of the mini field, but persevered and only crossed the finish line when Krüger was already relaxed giving interviews to the winner.
Moch waived because of cold symptoms
Actually, four Germans should start. But of all things, World Cup discovery Friedrich Moch had to give up sick. “He had slight symptoms of a cold. Starting on the most difficult course in the World Cup doesn’t make any sense.”said coach Sebastian Eisenhuth, who is replacing head coach Peter Schlickenrieder in Oslo.
Lace together long
At the top, the field stayed together for a long time, just like at the World Cup 50. Among the only 36 runners were twelve Norwegians and they set the pace. It was tactical, lurking and energy-saving running. While Dobler and Notz kept an eye on the leaders for a long time, Bögl had to give up early. After 13 of 50 kilometers Bögl lost contact and fought at the end of the field. Dobler and Notz, on the other hand, remained strong in the leading group.
Changing skis as a tactical move
The race only picked up speed with 22 kilometers to go when the trio of Hans Christian Holund, Simen Hegstad Krüger and Iver Tildheim Andersen hit the tube with fresh skis. The three Norwegians had changed their equipment early and used a phase in which the pace in front was not that high. In this way they were able to close the gap up front and benefited from the fact that the material of Johannes Hoesflot Klaebo and Pal Golberg slacked off.
Holund, Krüger and Andersen broke away second by second. When the pursuers had to turn off to change skis after 33 kilometers, the three Norwegians suddenly ran 36 seconds ahead of their pursuers. From then on, a large group chased the leading trio – but the pace was too brisk for Notz. He fell out of the group of nine pursuers. Dobler had accumulated a lot of deficit even before the ski change.
The field in the men’s 50 km race
Only Norwegians at the top
At the latest ten kilometers before the finish, it was a purely Norwegian championship. Ten Norwegians appeared in places one through ten. Briton Andrew Musgrave fought to catch up in eleventh place. With another pinprick from Didrik Tönseth and Martin Löwström Nyenget, the chasing group was blown up. The duo chased the top trio, from which Andersen fell back and still lost his podium place. Tönseth and Nyenget conceded to Andersen with three kilometers to go. Nyenget was willing to grab Krüger and Holund as well. That didn’t work because Krüger picked up in the last few meters and was crowned the marathon king of Oslo for the first time. Holund rewarded himself with silver. Nyenget ended up with the most grains, earning third place. Andersen remained the thankless fourth place.