The cross-country skiing season opened with an exciting sprint race. Katharina Hennig made it into the top 10 in the Swedish double success. Erik Valnes won in the men’s category.
The Swedes celebrated a double success at the opening race of the Cross Country World Cup in Ruka, Finland. Emma Ribom won the sprint ahead of compatriot Jonna Sundling, Kristine Stavaas Skistad from Norway completed the podium.
Katharina Hennig ensured a positive start to the season. The Olympic team sprint champion missed the final run in fifth place in her semi-final, but showed an appealing performance. The Oberwiesenthaler only had to give up when she moved to the finish grades and ended up in tenth place in the final rankings.
Rydzek in the quarterfinals
Coletta Rydzek from Oberstdorf made it to the quarterfinals. Victoria Carl (Zella-Mehlis), Pia Fink (Bremelau), Laura Gimmler (Oberstdorf) and Sofie Krehl (Oberstdorf) narrowly missed making it into the top 30.
Men’s race: Klaebo surprisingly looped
In the men’s category, Erik Valnes (Norway) won ahead of Richard Pouve (France) and the favorite Johannes Høsflot Klaebo. Last year’s winner in the sprint and overall World Cup had to be content with third place at the start.
For the German men, the qualification was already over. Lucas Bögl (Gaißach), Janosch Brugger (Schluchsee), Albert Kuchler (Lam), Florian Notz (Römerstein), Anian Sossau (Eisenärzt) and Jan Stölben (Ernstberg) did not make it into the top 24 who would have qualified for the quarter-finals.
The German squad for 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)